CVE-2017-14767 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The sdp_parse_fmtp_config_h264 function in libavformat/rtpdec_h264.c in FFmpeg before 3.3.4 mishandles empty sprop-parameter-sets values, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap buffer overflow) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted sdp file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14767 resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's handling of Session Description Protocol files, specifically in the sdp_parse_fmtp_config_h264 function located in libavformat/rtpdec_h264.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects versions of FFmpeg prior to 3.3.4, where the software fails to properly validate and process empty sprop-parameter-sets values during SDP file parsing. The issue manifests as a heap buffer overflow condition that can be triggered by remote attackers through the careful crafting of malicious SDP files, potentially leading to system instability or more severe consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the H.264 video stream processing pipeline of FFmpeg. When the sdp_parse_fmtp_config_h264 function encounters empty sprop-parameter-sets values in SDP files, it fails to properly handle these edge cases, leading to memory corruption. The function attempts to process these empty values without adequate bounds checking or null pointer validation, resulting in a heap-based buffer overflow that can overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of inadequate input sanitization in multimedia processing libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it could potentially enable remote code execution or other unspecified security consequences. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could craft malicious SDP files that, when processed by vulnerable FFmpeg implementations, would trigger the buffer overflow condition. This could lead to application crashes, system instability, or in more severe cases, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable FFmpeg versions. The vulnerability affects any system that processes SDP files containing H.264 video streams, including media servers, streaming platforms, and applications that utilize FFmpeg for multimedia processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14767 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to FFmpeg 3.3.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly handle empty sprop-parameter-sets values. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures for SDP files in their processing pipelines, particularly when dealing with untrusted content. Network-level protections such as SDP file filtering and content inspection can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious SDP file patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, when considering the potential for remote code execution through crafted media files.