CVE-2016-3062 in Ffmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The mov_read_dref function in libavformat/mov.c in Libav before 11.7 and FFmpeg before 0.11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or execute arbitrary code via the entries value in a dref box in an MP4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3062 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the libavformat/mov.c component of both Libav and FFmpeg multimedia frameworks. This flaw exists within the mov_read_dref function which processes the data reference box (dref) found in mp4 file structures. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes malformed mp4 files containing specially crafted dref boxes with invalid entries values that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The root cause stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during the parsing of mp4 metadata structures, specifically in how the software handles the entries field within the dref box. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of applications that utilize these multimedia libraries for video processing and playback, including media players, streaming servers, and content management systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution in affected systems. When a maliciously crafted mp4 file is processed by an application using vulnerable Libav or FFmpeg versions, the buffer overflow can corrupt adjacent memory locations and potentially overwrite critical program structures or function pointers. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting mp4 files with malformed dref boxes containing excessive entries values that trigger the overflow condition during parsing. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code execution technique through memory corruption, specifically targeting application-level vulnerabilities in multimedia processing libraries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through common media file handling channels such as web browsers, email attachments, or media streaming services that rely on these libraries for content processing. The memory corruption can manifest in various ways including application crashes, data corruption, or in worst-case scenarios, complete system compromise when the overflow allows for arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3062 require immediate patching of affected software components to address the underlying buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize updating all instances of Libav and FFmpeg to versions 11.7 and 0.11 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for the mov_read_dref function. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization at the application level can provide defense-in-depth measures against malformed media files. Organizations should deploy network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious media file transfers containing known malicious patterns. The use of sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted media content can further reduce the risk of exploitation by isolating the multimedia processing components from critical system resources. Regular security audits of multimedia processing pipelines and implementation of automated vulnerability scanning tools can help identify other potential vulnerabilities in similar components. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the specific bounds checking issue in the entries field processing and ensures proper memory allocation before parsing the dref box structure. Organizations should also consider implementing file type validation and content inspection mechanisms to prevent processing of potentially malicious media files that may contain crafted dref boxes designed to exploit this vulnerability.