CVE-2016-9811 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The windows_icon_typefind function in gst-plugins-base in GStreamer before 1.10.2, when G_SLICE is set to always-malloc, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted ico file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9811 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the GStreamer multimedia framework's icon typefinding functionality. This issue affects versions of GStreamer prior to 1.10.2 and specifically manifests when the G_SLICE memory allocation mechanism is configured to always-malloc mode. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the windows_icon_typefind function which processes icon files with the .ico extension. When a maliciously crafted ico file is processed by the affected GStreamer components, the function fails to properly bounds-check memory accesses during the parsing of icon headers and directory entries, leading to unauthorized memory reads beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific byte sequences within the ico file format that trigger improper memory handling within the GStreamer pipeline. The windows_icon_typefind function, responsible for identifying and classifying icon files, does not adequately validate the size fields within the ico file header structure. This allows attackers to craft files where the reported dimensions or data offsets in the icon directory entries exceed the actual file boundaries, causing the memory access routines to read beyond the allocated buffer space. The out-of-bounds read operation can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and subsequent processing of the read data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that utilize GStreamer for multimedia processing, particularly those that automatically process user-uploaded content or handle untrusted media files. The denial of service impact can be severe as it can cause applications using GStreamer to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering multimedia processing capabilities unavailable. Systems that rely on automated file type detection and processing, such as web servers, media processing pipelines, or content management systems, are particularly vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through any mechanism that allows untrusted ico files to be processed by the affected GStreamer components, making it a substantial risk for web applications and services that handle user-generated content.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-9811 involves immediate patching of affected GStreamer installations to version 1.10.2 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as restricting file type processing, validating file content before processing, and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input buffers, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for the execution of malicious code through file processing. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that may be vulnerable to this type of attack, particularly in environments where user uploads or external file processing is common.