CVE-2016-9810 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The gst_decode_chain_free_internal function in the flxdex decoder in gst-plugins-good in GStreamer before 1.10.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory read and crash) via an invalid file, which triggers an incorrect unref call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9810 resides within the GStreamer multimedia framework's flxdex decoder component, specifically in the gst_decode_chain_free_internal function. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger a denial of service attack. The vulnerability affects GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.2, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on this multimedia framework for processing various media formats. The flxdex decoder is designed to handle specific video formats, but improper handling of malformed input files creates a critical security gap.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from an incorrect unref call within the memory management routines of the decoder. When processing an invalid file, the gst_decode_chain_free_internal function fails to properly validate input parameters before executing memory deallocation operations. This improper validation leads to an invalid memory read operation that ultimately causes the application to crash. The flaw manifests as a memory access violation where the decoder attempts to dereference a pointer that has already been freed or points to invalid memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes an out-of-bounds read condition, and is further classified as a memory safety issue that can be exploited for denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt services that depend on GStreamer for media processing. Remote attackers can craft malicious files that, when processed by vulnerable systems, will trigger the memory corruption and subsequent crash. This creates a reliable denial of service condition that can affect any application or service using the affected GStreamer components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated media processing occurs, such as content delivery networks, media servers, or applications that automatically process user-uploaded media files. The attack vector requires only that a malicious file be presented to a system running vulnerable GStreamer software, making it an easily exploitable weakness in many deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9810 primarily focus on upgrading to GStreamer version 1.10.2 or later, which includes the necessary patches to properly validate input parameters before memory deallocation operations. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at the application level, ensuring that all media files are properly validated before being passed to the GStreamer decoder components. Network-based defenses can include implementing content filtering mechanisms that scan media files for known malicious patterns or using sandboxing techniques to isolate vulnerable components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, and the T1059.007 technique for command and control through application execution. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual crash patterns or memory access violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities within multimedia processing pipelines that could be exploited in similar ways.