CVE-2017-14639 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
AP4_VisualSampleEntry::ReadFields in Core/Ap4SampleEntry.cpp in Bento4 1.5.0-617 uses incorrect character data types, which causes a stack-based buffer underflow and out-of-bounds write, leading to denial of service (application crash) or possibly unspecified other impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14639 resides within the Bento4 media processing library version 1.5.0-617, specifically in the AP4_VisualSampleEntry::ReadFields function located in Core/Ap4SampleEntry.cpp. This flaw represents a critical security issue that arises from improper handling of character data types during the parsing of media sample entries. The Bento4 library serves as a comprehensive multimedia framework for processing and manipulating various media formats, making it a widely used component in digital media applications and content delivery systems. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes malformed or crafted media files that contain specially constructed visual sample entries, triggering a cascade of memory corruption issues that can compromise the stability and security of applications relying on this library.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a stack-based buffer underflow condition that occurs due to incorrect character data type usage within the ReadFields method. When the function attempts to parse visual sample entry data structures, it fails to properly validate or handle the character encoding types, leading to a situation where memory operations exceed the bounds of allocated stack buffers. This improper type handling creates a scenario where the application's stack memory becomes corrupted through out-of-bounds write operations, fundamentally undermining the memory safety mechanisms that protect against such exploits. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal media file processing operations, meaning that simply opening or parsing a maliciously crafted media file could result in system compromise without any special privileges or user interaction required.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14639 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors that align with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions across applications that depend on Bento4, effectively disrupting media processing workflows in content delivery networks, streaming platforms, and multimedia applications. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, it might be exploitable for more advanced attacks including arbitrary code execution, particularly when combined with other memory corruption vulnerabilities or when targeting applications with insufficient memory protection mechanisms. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where media processing systems form critical components of content distribution and digital asset management infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14639 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bento4 installations to version 1.5.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the character data type handling issues. Organizations should also implement robust input validation and sanitization measures for all media files processed through systems utilizing Bento4, particularly in environments where untrusted media content is handled. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, indicates that defensive programming practices including bounds checking, proper memory allocation, and secure coding standards should be enforced throughout the development lifecycle of applications using this library. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts through unusual application behavior or crash patterns, and consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to further mitigate potential exploitation risks.