CVE-2017-14643 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
The AP4_HdlrAtom class in Core/Ap4HdlrAtom.cpp in Bento4 version 1.5.0-617 uses an incorrect character data type, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read and application crash in AP4_BytesToUInt32BE in Core/Ap4Utils.h.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14643 resides within the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.5.0-617, specifically within the AP4_HdlrAtom class implementation located in Core/Ap4HdlrAtom.cpp. This flaw represents a critical buffer over-read condition that occurs when processing multimedia container formats, particularly those following the mp4 specification. The vulnerability manifests due to improper handling of character data types during the parsing of handler atom structures, which are fundamental components in mp4 file containers used for organizing multimedia content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a type mismatch in the AP4_HdlrAtom class where the code incorrectly interprets character data as a different data type than what is actually present in the input stream. This misinterpretation leads to the AP4_BytesToUInt32BE function in Core/Ap4Utils.h attempting to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries when converting byte sequences to 32-bit unsigned integers. The heap-based buffer over-read occurs because the application does not properly validate the length of incoming data before attempting to process it, resulting in memory access violations that cause application instability and potential crash conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it creates a potential vector for denial of service attacks and could be exploited in more sophisticated scenarios. When an attacker crafts malicious mp4 files with malformed handler atoms, the vulnerable Bento4 library will attempt to parse these structures and trigger the buffer over-read condition. This vulnerability affects any application that utilizes Bento4 for processing mp4 files, including media players, content management systems, and streaming platforms that rely on this library for format handling. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries may leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to disrupt services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14643 primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of the Bento4 library where the character data type handling has been corrected and proper buffer boundary checks have been implemented. Organizations should also implement input validation measures that verify the integrity of multimedia files before processing them through the Bento4 framework, particularly when handling untrusted content. Additionally, deploying application sandboxing techniques and implementing proper memory protection mechanisms can help contain the impact of such vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with buffer over-read conditions, as these may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities in the broader multimedia processing ecosystem.