CVE-2016-2330 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
libavcodec/gif.c in FFmpeg before 2.8.6 does not properly calculate a buffer size, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds array access) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .tga file, related to the gif_image_write_image, gif_encode_init, and gif_encode_close functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2330 resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's libavcodec module, specifically in the gif.c file responsible for handling gif image encoding and decoding operations. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the software fails to properly validate or calculate buffer sizes during processing of graphic image files. The vulnerability affects FFmpeg versions prior to 2.8.6 and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that could be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system operations or potentially execute arbitrary code. The issue manifests when processing specially crafted .tga files that contain malformed gif data structures, creating a scenario where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper buffer size calculations within three key functions: gif_image_write_image, gif_encode_init, and gif_encode_close. These functions handle different aspects of gif encoding operations and collectively demonstrate a failure in bounds checking during memory allocation processes. When a malicious .tga file is processed, the software's inability to accurately determine the required buffer size leads to out-of-bounds array access conditions that can result in unpredictable behavior including program crashes, memory corruption, or potential code execution. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue reflects the primary impact where legitimate system operations become disrupted, but the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests the possibility of more severe consequences including privilege escalation or information disclosure.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process multimedia content, particularly those running FFmpeg versions vulnerable to this flaw. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through crafted .tga files, making it particularly dangerous for web applications, content management systems, or any service that accepts user-uploaded image files without proper validation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities in the multimedia processing pipeline. Organizations relying on FFmpeg for video and image processing workflows face substantial risk, as attackers could leverage this weakness to cause system instability or potentially gain unauthorized access to affected systems.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2016-2330 centers on upgrading to FFmpeg version 2.8.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer calculation errors in the gif.c file. Security administrators should prioritize this update across all systems running vulnerable FFmpeg versions, particularly those handling user-generated content or processing external multimedia files. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and file type verification mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities and maintain comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery from potential exploitation incidents. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a typical example of how multimedia processing libraries can become attack surfaces when proper bounds checking mechanisms are absent or flawed, potentially mapping to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and control operations through system instability.