CVE-2017-13320 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2024
In impeg2d_bit_stream_flush() of libmpeg2dec there is a possible OOB read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to Remote DoS with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13320 resides within the libmpeg2dec library's impeg2d_bit_stream_flush() function, representing a critical out-of-bounds read condition that fundamentally compromises system stability. This issue manifests as a missing bounds check during bit stream processing, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted input data can trigger unauthorized memory access patterns that extend beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the MPEG-2 video decoding component, which is widely integrated into multimedia applications, embedded systems, and network infrastructure devices that process video content. The absence of proper validation mechanisms during bit stream flushing operations allows attackers to manipulate input parameters in ways that bypass normal buffer limits, potentially leading to memory corruption and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft specially formatted MPEG-2 video streams that, when processed by the vulnerable library, trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This requires user interaction as the target system must actively process the malicious video content for the vulnerability to be triggered. The attack vector operates through the standard video decoding pipeline where input data flows through the bit stream parser, and the missing bounds check in the impeg2d_bit_stream_flush() function fails to validate the data boundaries before attempting to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This flaw aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient checking of the length of input data, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to memory safety issues. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign buffer management operations can become critical security flaws when proper boundary checking mechanisms are omitted.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote denial of service attacks that can disrupt multimedia services, streaming platforms, and embedded systems that rely on the affected library for video processing. The remote DoS capability means that attackers can potentially compromise service availability without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing applications and network infrastructure. Systems running affected software may experience unexpected crashes, process terminations, or complete service outages when processing malicious video content, affecting both end-user experience and operational continuity. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including media players, video servers, network equipment, and embedded devices that utilize the libmpeg2dec library for video decoding operations. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business operations and user confidence in affected platforms, particularly when considering that the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate video processing workflows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and libraries to address the root cause through proper bounds checking implementation. Organizations should implement input validation measures that enforce strict boundary checks during bit stream processing operations, ensuring that all buffer access operations include appropriate length verification before memory reads occur. The fix should involve adding comprehensive bounds checking within the impeg2d_bit_stream_flush() function to validate data limits before processing bit stream information. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual video processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting and input sanitization measures to prevent malicious content from reaching vulnerable applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining robust security practices in multimedia libraries and emphasizes the need for comprehensive testing of buffer management operations, particularly in components that process untrusted input data. Regular security audits and code reviews focused on memory safety mechanisms can help prevent similar issues in other components of multimedia processing stacks.