CVE-2016-7450 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The ff_log2_16bit_c function in libavutil/intmath.h in FFmpeg before 3.1.4 is vulnerable to reading out-of-bounds memory when it decodes a malformed AIFF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7450 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory read flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's audio processing pipeline. This issue specifically affects the ff_log2_16bit_c function located in the libavutil/intmath.h component of FFmpeg versions prior to 3.1.4. The vulnerability manifests when the software attempts to decode malformed AIFF audio files, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or potential exploitation for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the AIFF file parsing logic. When FFmpeg encounters a malformed AIFF file structure, the ff_log2_16bit_c function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses during the logarithmic computation process. This function is designed to handle 16-bit integer logarithmic calculations but becomes susceptible to memory corruption when processing improperly formatted audio metadata or sample data. The flaw occurs because the algorithm does not adequately verify array indices against the actual buffer size, allowing attackers to craft malicious AIFF files that trigger unauthorized memory reads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations or cause application crashes that could be exploited for denial-of-service attacks. In environments where FFmpeg processes untrusted audio content, such as media servers, content management systems, or digital asset management platforms, this vulnerability could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to system memory contents. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique, representing a form of code injection or memory corruption that can be used to achieve arbitrary code execution in vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7450 primarily involve updating to FFmpeg version 3.1.4 or later, which includes patched implementations of the affected function with proper bounds checking. Organizations should also implement strict input validation procedures for all audio file processing workflows, including automatic format verification and sandboxed execution environments for untrusted content. Security measures should incorporate regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar out-of-bounds read conditions within multimedia processing libraries. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure of systems that process AIFF files without proper validation mechanisms in place, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation of this class of vulnerabilities.