CVE-2017-5847 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The gst_asf_demux_process_ext_content_desc function in gst/asfdemux/gstasfdemux.c in gst-plugins-ugly in GStreamer allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds heap read) via vectors involving extended content descriptors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5847 resides within the GStreamer multimedia framework's gst-plugins-ugly package, specifically in the ASF demultiplexer component. This flaw manifests in the gst_asf_demux_process_ext_content_desc function located in the gst/asfdemux/gstasfdemux.c source file. The issue represents a critical security concern that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against systems processing ASF (Advanced Systems Format) media files. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and boundary checking within the extended content descriptor processing logic, creating a scenario where malformed or specially crafted ASF files can trigger memory access violations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds heap read condition that occurs when the function processes extended content descriptors in ASF files. When an attacker crafts malicious ASF content with malformed extended descriptor structures, the gst_asf_demux_process_ext_content_desc function attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries. This heap read operation occurs without proper bounds checking, allowing the attacker to read arbitrary memory contents from the application's heap space. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer over-read according to CWE-125, which represents a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to information disclosure or system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process or stream ASF multimedia content, particularly those deployed in server environments or applications handling user-uploaded media files. The denial of service impact can result in application crashes, system resource exhaustion, or complete service unavailability, affecting media servers, streaming platforms, and content management systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely by delivering malicious ASF files through various delivery mechanisms including web downloads, file sharing systems, or media streaming protocols. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed against any system running affected GStreamer versions, making it a high-impact vulnerability for organizations relying on multimedia processing capabilities.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption as this vulnerability can potentially expose sensitive information stored in the application's heap memory. The out-of-bounds read operation may inadvertently reveal memory contents including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application state information that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Organizations implementing GStreamer-based solutions should consider this vulnerability within the context of broader attack surface management and application security frameworks. The flaw demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through malformed media file processing. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected GStreamer installations, implementation of input sanitization measures for ASF content, and deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts.
Organizations should prioritize updating their GStreamer installations to versions that contain the patched implementation of the gst_asf_demux_process_ext_content_desc function, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing robust boundary checks before memory access operations and ensuring that extended content descriptor processing respects buffer limits. Additional defensive measures include deploying content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious ASF files, implementing application sandboxing for media processing components, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual application behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and ensure that their incident response procedures account for potential exploitation scenarios involving multimedia processing components.