CVE-2017-5840 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The qtdemux_parse_samples function in gst/isomp4/qtdemux.c in gst-plugins-good in GStreamer before 1.10.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds heap read) via vectors involving the current stts index.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5840 represents a critical heap-based out-of-bounds read condition within the GStreamer multimedia framework's qtdemux plugin. This flaw exists in the qtdemux_parse_samples function located in gst/isomp4/qtdemux.c, which is responsible for parsing QuickTime and MP4 container formats. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing malformed media files where the stts (sample table time-to-sample) index is improperly constructed, creating a scenario where the parser attempts to access heap memory beyond its allocated bounds. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure or system instability.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during the parsing of media files that contain crafted stts index entries. When the qtdemux component processes these malformed entries, it fails to properly validate the index boundaries before attempting to read sample timing data from the heap. This improper bounds checking allows attackers to construct specially formatted media files that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access when the parser attempts to traverse the stts table. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through media file delivery, making it a significant threat in web-based applications, media streaming services, or any system that processes user-uploaded media content without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5840 extends beyond simple denial of service, as the out-of-bounds heap read can potentially lead to more severe consequences including information disclosure or system crashes. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause the target application to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can disrupt legitimate service operations. The vulnerability affects GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3, making it a widespread issue across many applications that rely on this multimedia framework for processing video and audio content. In enterprise environments, this could impact media servers, content delivery networks, and applications handling user-generated media, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt services or gain unauthorized access to system information through memory disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5840 primarily focus on upgrading to GStreamer version 1.10.3 or later, which includes patches that properly validate the stts index boundaries before memory access operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive media file validation and sanitization processes that include proper parsing of container format headers and content verification before processing user-uploaded media. Network-based mitigations can include implementing media file filtering at ingress points, particularly for applications that handle untrusted media content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through media processing components. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can help reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities in the event of exploitation attempts.