CVE-2017-14059 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
In FFmpeg 3.3.3, a DoS in cine_read_header() due to lack of an EOF check might cause huge CPU and memory consumption. When a crafted CINE file, which claims a large "duration" field in the header but does not contain sufficient backing data, is provided, the image-offset parsing loop would consume huge CPU and memory resources, since there is no EOF check inside the loop.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2017-14059 represents a critical denial of service flaw within FFmpeg version 3.3.3 that stems from inadequate input validation in the cine_read_header() function. This issue specifically affects the processing of CINE format files, which are commonly used in cinema and high-end video production environments. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted CINE file contains a header with an inflated duration field that suggests a massive amount of data should be present, while the actual file content contains insufficient backing data to support such claims. This discrepancy creates a scenario where the video processing library enters an exploitable state that consumes excessive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the image-offset parsing loop within the cine_read_header() function, which lacks proper end-of-file validation checks. When FFmpeg encounters a CINE file with an inflated duration field, the parsing loop iterates based on the claimed duration value rather than the actual available data in the file. This absence of EOF checking creates an infinite or extremely long loop that continuously consumes CPU cycles and memory resources as the application attempts to process non-existent data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, specifically manifesting as an insufficient check for end-of-file conditions during data parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it can be exploited to cause significant system instability and performance degradation. Attackers can craft malicious CINE files that, when processed by vulnerable FFmpeg installations, will cause the application to consume excessive CPU cycles and memory allocation until system resources are depleted. This behavior can affect any application or service that relies on FFmpeg for video processing, including content management systems, media servers, and video transcoding platforms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated processing environments where multiple files are processed sequentially, as a single malicious file can cause cascading failures throughout the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14059 should focus on implementing proper input validation and resource limiting measures within FFmpeg processing pipelines. System administrators should immediately upgrade to FFmpeg version 3.3.4 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through the addition of proper EOF checks in the image-offset parsing loop. Organizations should also implement file size limitations and processing timeouts to prevent resource exhaustion attacks, as recommended in the ATT&CK framework for defensive measures against resource exhaustion attacks. Additionally, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious file formats can provide an additional layer of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust error handling in multimedia processing libraries, as highlighted by security best practices outlined in both CWE and ATT&CK frameworks for preventing similar issues in software development processes.