CVE-2016-9447 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The ROM mappings in the NSF decoder in gstreamer 0.10.x allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read or write) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted NSF music file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9447 resides within the NSF (NES Sound Format) decoder component of the GStreamer 0.10.x multimedia framework, representing a critical security flaw that exposes systems to remote exploitation. This issue affects the handling of ROM mappings within the NSF decoding process, where improper input validation and memory management practices create opportunities for attackers to manipulate the decoder's behavior through specially crafted NSF music files. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes, indicating that the flaw can potentially lead to both denial of service and arbitrary code execution scenarios. The NSF format, originally designed for playing Nintendo Entertainment System music files on modern systems, contains metadata and audio data structures that when improperly parsed by the vulnerable GStreamer component, can trigger memory corruption issues.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted NSF file is processed by a system running the affected GStreamer version. The decoder's failure to properly validate the ROM mapping data within the NSF file structure allows attackers to manipulate memory locations beyond the intended boundaries of the allocated buffers. This memory corruption can manifest as either out-of-bounds reads that may expose sensitive information or out-of-bounds writes that can overwrite critical memory segments, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where multimedia content is frequently processed. Attackers can leverage this weakness by embedding malicious data within NSF files that, when played through vulnerable applications, trigger the memory corruption conditions that result in system instability or unauthorized code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9447 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for arbitrary code execution creates serious security implications for systems processing multimedia content. Systems utilizing GStreamer 0.10.x for audio playback, particularly those in media server environments, web applications, or embedded systems, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The flaw affects applications that process NSF files through GStreamer's audio pipeline, which includes various media players, web browsers, and content management systems. Organizations running affected software versions may experience service disruption, data exposure, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context and privileges of the affected processes. The vulnerability's presence in the widely used GStreamer framework means that numerous applications and services across different platforms and operating systems could be impacted, making it a high-priority security concern for system administrators and security professionals.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9447 focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patching of affected GStreamer components. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to GStreamer 1.0.x versions or applying the specific patches released by the GStreamer project to address the memory handling issues in the NSF decoder. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and sandboxing mechanisms can provide defense-in-depth measures to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling NSF file processing when not required, implementing strict file type validation, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent malicious NSF files from reaching vulnerable systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures including process isolation, privilege restrictions, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain visibility into the security posture of their multimedia processing environments.