CVE-2017-5846 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The gst_asf_demux_process_ext_stream_props function in gst/asfdemux/gstasfdemux.c in gst-plugins-ugly in GStreamer before 1.10.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory read and crash) via vectors related to the number of languages in a video file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5846 resides within the GStreamer multimedia framework's gst-plugins-ugly package, specifically in the ASF (Advanced Systems Format) demultiplexer component. This flaw affects versions prior to 1.10.3 and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests as an invalid memory read leading to application crash. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within a widely-used multimedia framework that processes various digital media formats, making it a potential target for remote exploitation. The issue occurs during the processing of extended stream properties within ASF files, which are commonly used for streaming video content including wmv and other Microsoft proprietary formats.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the gst_asf_demux_process_ext_stream_props function located in the gst/asfdemux/gstasfdemux.c source file. When processing ASF files, the function fails to properly validate the number of languages specified in the video file's metadata structure. This lack of proper input validation allows attackers to craft malicious ASF files containing malformed language count values that exceed the allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the demuxer attempts to read from an invalid memory location, typically caused by an integer overflow or underflow condition during array indexing operations. This flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation and memory management, which aligns with CWE-125, indicating an out-of-bounds read condition.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5846 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be exploited to cause complete application crashes and potentially provide a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious ASF files on web servers or embedding them in other media content that gets processed by vulnerable GStreamer applications. The crash occurs during normal file processing operations, meaning any application that utilizes GStreamer for media playback or streaming could be affected, including web browsers, media players, and content management systems. This vulnerability particularly impacts systems running older versions of GStreamer where automatic updates may not be enabled, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on these multimedia frameworks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a denial of service attack, specifically under the technique of "Resource Exhaustion" where the system's ability to process legitimate requests is compromised through malformed input handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5846 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of GStreamer, specifically version 1.10.3 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory boundary checks. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected systems, particularly those processing untrusted media content from external sources. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation at network boundaries, using sandboxing techniques to isolate media processing components, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious ASF file patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable applications and establishing robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the core issue by adding proper bounds checking on language count values and ensuring that memory allocations are performed based on validated input parameters, thereby preventing the invalid memory read conditions that previously led to crashes.