CVE-2017-14261 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
In the SDK in Bento4 1.5.0-616, the AP4_StszAtom class in Ap4StszAtom.cpp file contains a Read Memory Access Violation vulnerability. It is possible to exploit this vulnerability by opening a crafted .MP4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14261 affects the Bento4 SDK version 1.5.0-616, specifically within the AP4_StszAtom class located in the Ap4StszAtom.cpp source file. This represents a critical memory access violation that arises during the processing of malformed multimedia files, particularly those following the mp4 container format. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to read memory locations that have not been properly allocated or validated, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through manipulation of the input file structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the AP4_StszAtom class which handles sample size atom data structures in mp4 files. When processing a specially crafted mp4 file, the parser fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory allocations, leading to attempts to access memory regions that may be unmapped or unauthorized. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically describing out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when programs access memory beyond the intended boundaries of allocated buffers. The vulnerability represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can result in arbitrary code execution or application crashes when exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates potential pathways for remote code execution attacks. An attacker who can convince a victim to open a crafted mp4 file through a vulnerable application using the Bento4 SDK would be able to trigger the memory access violation. This could lead to complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where users might encounter untrusted multimedia content, such as email attachments, web downloads, or media sharing platforms that utilize the Bento4 SDK for content processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14261 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bento4 SDK installations to version 1.5.0-617 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory access violation. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures for all multimedia file processing pipelines, including the use of sandboxed environments and restricted file format handling. Network-level protections such as content filtering and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1203 technique involving legitimate program execution, where adversaries leverage legitimate software to execute malicious code through file-based attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential instances of similar memory safety issues within the software ecosystem, particularly in multimedia processing libraries that handle untrusted input from external sources.