CVE-2017-5047 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An integer overflow in FFmpeg in Google Chrome prior to 57.0.2987.98 for Mac, Windows, and Linux and 57.0.2987.108 for Android allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory write via a crafted video file, related to ChunkDemuxer.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2017-5047 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within FFmpeg library components that are integrated into Google Chrome browser versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue specifically affects Chrome's handling of video content through the ChunkDemuxer component, which is responsible for parsing and demuxing multimedia streams. The flaw exists in the way Chrome processes crafted video files that exploit memory management boundaries during video parsing operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by preparing specially constructed video files that trigger the integer overflow condition, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability impacts multiple operating systems including macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android platforms, demonstrating the widespread nature of the underlying FFmpeg library integration across Chrome's supported environments. This cross-platform impact underscores the severity of the flaw and the potential for broad exploitation across different user bases.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific memory management flaw where integer overflow conditions lead to improper buffer size calculations during video demuxing operations. When Chrome processes a crafted video file, the ChunkDemuxer component attempts to allocate memory buffers based on calculated values that become corrupted due to integer overflow. This overflow results in the allocation of insufficient memory space, which then gets overwritten during subsequent read operations. The out-of-bounds memory write occurs when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where improper input validation leads to memory corruption, making it particularly dangerous for browser-based exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5047 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to represent a significant remote code execution threat. Attackers can remotely exploit this vulnerability by hosting malicious video content that triggers the flaw when users view the content in Chrome browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond viewing the malicious content, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks or social engineering campaigns. The exploitability of this flaw is enhanced by the fact that it affects the core multimedia processing components of Chrome, which are frequently accessed when users browse the web. This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, which could lead to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or opening malicious files, making it a significant threat to user security and privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5047 primarily involve immediate software updates and patches provided by Google to address the integer overflow conditions in the FFmpeg library integration. Users should ensure their Chrome browsers are updated to versions 57.0.2987.98 for Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms and 57.0.2987.108 for Android devices. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all Chrome installations. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict multimedia content processing, using content filtering solutions, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious video content. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security auditing of third-party libraries and components, as well as the need for robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing applications. This case demonstrates the critical relationship between browser security and underlying multimedia libraries, emphasizing that vulnerabilities in core components can have widespread implications for user safety and system integrity. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through browser-based attacks.