CVE-2017-11399 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the ape_decode_frame function in libavcodec/apedec.c in FFmpeg through 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-array access and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted APE file.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11399 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's audio processing capabilities. This issue resides in the ape_decode_frame function located within the libavcodec/apedec.c file, affecting FFmpeg versions through 3.3.2. The flaw manifests when processing crafted APE (Monkey's Audio) files, which are lossless audio compression formats commonly used in digital audio applications. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during the decoding process, specifically when calculating array indices or buffer sizes based on malformed input data.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs when the ape_decode_frame function processes specially crafted APE file headers or metadata. When the decoder encounters malformed data structures within the APE file, it performs arithmetic operations on integer values that exceed their maximum representable range, leading to unexpected behavior in the subsequent memory access operations. This overflow condition causes the decoder to attempt accessing memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries, resulting in out-of-array access violations that trigger application crashes and system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for systems that process untrusted audio content through FFmpeg libraries. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious APE files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will cause denial of service conditions and potential system crashes. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability may also enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the CVE description suggest potential for additional security consequences including information disclosure or privilege escalation in certain configurations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which identifies integer overflow and underflow conditions as a fundamental class of software defects that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically "Exploitation for Client Execution," as it enables remote code execution through crafted media files. The vulnerability also corresponds to ATT&CK tactic TA0040, "Defense Evasion," as successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls by causing system instability or creating backdoor access points through the application crash conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11399 primarily involve immediate patching of affected FFmpeg installations to versions that contain the necessary code modifications to prevent integer overflow conditions. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures when processing audio content, particularly for untrusted sources. Additionally, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious APE files is recommended. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments of multimedia processing components should be maintained as part of comprehensive cybersecurity hygiene practices.