CVE-2016-6164 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the mov_build_index function in libavformat/mov.c in FFmpeg before 2.8.8, 3.0.x before 3.0.3 and 3.1.x before 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors involving sample size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6164 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's handling of MOV container files. This issue specifically affects the mov_build_index function located in libavformat/mov.c, which is responsible for building index structures for QuickTime and MOV format files. The vulnerability exists in FFmpeg versions prior to 2.8.8, 3.0.3, and 3.1.1, making it a widespread concern across multiple release branches of this widely-used multimedia processing library. The integer overflow occurs when processing sample size information within MOV container files, creating conditions where maliciously crafted input can cause unexpected behavior in the application's memory management and processing routines.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the calculation of index structures for media samples within MOV files. When FFmpeg processes MOV containers, it must build internal index tables to efficiently access different segments of the media stream. The mov_build_index function performs calculations to determine the size and positioning of these index entries, but fails to properly validate integer values that could exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used. This overflow condition can result in incorrect memory allocation decisions, buffer overflows, or other memory corruption scenarios that fundamentally compromise the application's stability and security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides remote attackers with potential pathways to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. Attackers can craft specially formatted MOV files that, when processed by vulnerable FFmpeg implementations, trigger the integer overflow during index building operations. This creates opportunities for remote code execution in applications that utilize FFmpeg for media processing, including web servers, content management systems, media players, and various multimedia applications. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the potential for diverse exploitation outcomes depending on the specific environment and implementation details, ranging from controlled crashes to more severe privilege escalation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6164 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched FFmpeg releases, with administrators prioritizing updates to versions 2.8.8, 3.0.3, or 3.1.1 and beyond. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable FFmpeg versions, particularly those handling untrusted media content through web applications or media processing pipelines. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for media file processing, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file uploads, and establishing robust patch management procedures. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a common attack vector categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution through multimedia processing frameworks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper integer handling in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of media handling components in widely-deployed software frameworks.