CVE-2017-5049 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 • 09/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5049 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within FFmpeg library components integrated into Google Chrome browser versions prior to specific patches. This vulnerability specifically affects Chrome installations on multiple platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android operating systems. The issue stems from improper handling of integer values during video file processing, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate memory operations through maliciously crafted media content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution capabilities through a carefully constructed video file that triggers the overflow condition.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the ChunkDemuxer component of FFmpeg, which is responsible for parsing and demultiplexing multimedia content streams. When processing specially crafted video files, the demuxer fails to properly validate integer values used for memory allocation and buffer sizing operations. This integer overflow condition occurs during the parsing of media container formats where the application calculates buffer sizes based on data from the video file header. The flaw manifests when an attacker provides input data that causes arithmetic operations to exceed maximum integer limits, resulting in unexpected behavior where calculated memory addresses become invalid or corrupted. This overflow directly translates into an out-of-bounds memory write operation, allowing arbitrary data to be written to memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation as it provides attackers with a remote code execution vector through media-based attacks. An attacker can construct a malicious video file that, when opened in affected Chrome versions, triggers the integer overflow condition and subsequently executes arbitrary code on the victim's system. This capability enables a wide range of malicious activities including full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects all supported platforms where Chrome is installed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across diverse device ecosystems. The remote nature of the attack means that victims do not need to perform any special actions beyond viewing the malicious content, making it an ideal vector for drive-by attacks through compromised websites or malicious email attachments.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and control through execution channels. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and integer arithmetic handling in multimedia processing libraries. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation, while implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering to block potentially malicious media files. Additionally, browser hardening measures including sandboxing and strict content security policies can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. The incident highlights the ongoing need for rigorous security testing of multimedia libraries and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components to protect against known vulnerabilities in widely used open source libraries like FFmpeg.