CVE-2017-14640 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
A NULL pointer dereference was discovered in AP4_AtomSampleTable::GetSample in Core/Ap4AtomSampleTable.cpp in Bento4 version 1.5.0-617. The vulnerability causes a segmentation fault and application crash, which leads to remote denial of service.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14640 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Bento4 media processing library version 1.5.0-617. This issue resides in the AP4_AtomSampleTable::GetSample function located in Core/Ap4AtomSampleTable.cpp, where the application fails to properly validate input data before attempting to access memory locations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions that can lead to application instability and system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the media processing library encounters malformed or specially crafted media files during parsing operations. When the GetSample function processes input data without adequate null checks, it attempts to dereference a pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated. This condition results in an immediate segmentation fault that terminates the executing process, effectively causing a remote denial of service attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through remote file processing without requiring authentication or privileged access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems that rely on Bento4 for media processing, particularly those handling untrusted input from external sources. The remote denial of service capability means that attackers can potentially disrupt services by sending malicious media files that trigger the null pointer dereference, leading to complete application termination and service unavailability. Systems utilizing this library for content delivery, media transcoding, or streaming services face elevated risk of disruption, as the vulnerability can be exploited from remote locations without requiring direct system access.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service attacks, as it enables remote exploitation that can cause service disruption. Organizations using affected versions of Bento4 should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of the library, implementing input validation controls, and deploying network segmentation measures to limit exposure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in media processing libraries, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases and malformed input scenarios. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal application termination patterns and segmentation fault occurrences that may indicate exploitation attempts.