CVE-2017-5048 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5048 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within FFmpeg library components integrated into Google Chrome browser versions prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions up to 57.0.2987.98 on Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms, and up to 57.0.2987.108 on Android devices. The flaw manifests within the ChunkDemuxer component which is responsible for parsing and demultiplexing media content from various video formats. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of crafted video files that manipulate the expected size parameters, leading to miscalculations in memory allocation and handling.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic overflow handling within the media processing pipeline. When Chrome encounters a maliciously crafted video file, the ChunkDemuxer component processes the file's metadata and structure information without adequate bounds checking. The integer overflow results in a situation where the calculated memory buffer size becomes excessively large, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory while attempting to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This misalignment creates a condition where remote attackers can manipulate the memory layout to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes through controlled out-of-bounds memory writes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability, representing a significant remote code execution risk that could be leveraged by attackers to compromise user systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of media playback, which is a common user activity that occurs frequently when browsing the web, viewing videos, or interacting with multimedia content. Attackers can craft malicious video files that, when opened by an affected browser version, trigger the integer overflow condition and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and could facilitate further exploitation through privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised systems.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow and underflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how media processing libraries can become attack vectors when proper input validation and bounds checking are absent. The flaw demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices in multimedia frameworks, particularly when handling untrusted input from web sources. The affected Chrome versions were particularly vulnerable because they incorporated FFmpeg components that lacked adequate protection against integer overflow scenarios during memory allocation calculations. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome installations to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability provides a direct pathway for remote code execution through web-based attacks. The remediation strategy involves updating to Chrome versions that include patched FFmpeg components with proper integer overflow protections and enhanced input validation mechanisms.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical need for comprehensive security testing of multimedia processing components within browser environments. The flaw serves as a reminder that even well-established libraries like FFmpeg can contain critical vulnerabilities when integrated into complex software ecosystems without proper security hardening measures. This vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies including sandboxing, memory protection mechanisms, and regular security updates to protect against similar issues in the future. Security practitioners should monitor for similar integer overflow patterns in other media processing libraries and ensure that all software components undergo rigorous security testing, particularly those handling untrusted input from network sources.