CVE-2017-7865 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
FFmpeg before 2017-01-24 has an out-of-bounds write caused by a heap-based buffer overflow related to the ipvideo_decode_block_opcode_0xA function in libavcodec/interplayvideo.c and the avcodec_align_dimensions2 function in libavcodec/utils.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7865 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting FFmpeg versions prior to 2017-01-24. This flaw manifests within the interplayvideo.c file through the ipvideo_decode_block_opcode_0xA function, which processes specific video decoding operations. The vulnerability arises from inadequate bounds checking when handling video frame dimensions and data structures, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered during video processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of buffer boundaries within the video decoding pipeline. Specifically, the ipvideo_decode_block_opcode_0xA function fails to validate input parameters against expected buffer sizes, allowing maliciously crafted video content to write data beyond allocated memory regions. This issue is compounded by the interaction with avcodec_align_dimensions2 function in libavcodec/utils.c, which performs dimension alignment operations that do not adequately account for potential overflow conditions. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can manipulate memory layout to achieve arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7865 extends across numerous applications that rely on FFmpeg for multimedia processing, including media players, video editing software, content management systems, and streaming platforms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious video files that trigger the overflow condition during normal playback or processing operations. The vulnerability's classification as a heap overflow aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potential privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where FFmpeg is used to process untrusted media content, as it can be exploited through common attack vectors such as web-based media processing or file upload systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to version 2017-01-24 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for buffer boundary validation. System administrators should also implement defensive measures such as input validation for media files, sandboxing of multimedia processing components, and monitoring for anomalous memory usage patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation through memory corruption, with potential lateral movement opportunities if exploited in server environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems processing multimedia content, as the vulnerability can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including web application exploitation and file-based attacks.