CVE-2017-9126 in libquicktime
Summary
by MITRE
The quicktime_read_dref_table function in dref.c in libquicktime 1.2.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) via a crafted mp4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9126 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the libquicktime library version 1.2.4, specifically within the quicktime_read_dref_table function located in the dref.c source file. This flaw manifests when processing maliciously crafted mp4 media files, creating a remote attack vector that can be exploited by adversaries to induce denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of data reference tables within mp4 container format files, where the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data before attempting to allocate memory for processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper memory management practices within the media file parsing pipeline. When libquicktime encounters a specially constructed mp4 file containing malformed data reference table entries, the quicktime_read_dref_table function attempts to read and process these entries without sufficient validation of the buffer boundaries. This leads to a heap-based buffer overflow condition where the application writes beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory segments and causing unpredictable application behavior. The flaw operates at the intersection of multimedia file parsing and memory safety, making it particularly dangerous in applications that process untrusted media content from network sources or user uploads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass broader security implications for systems that rely on libquicktime for media processing. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt services by causing applications using libquicktime to crash, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can impact media streaming platforms, content delivery networks, and any software that handles mp4 file processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications and media processing servers where user-provided content is automatically processed, as it can be exploited to systematically crash services without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. This makes the vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt availability of media processing services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9126 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libquicktime installations to version 1.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures for all media file processing workflows, including the deployment of sandboxed environments for handling untrusted content and the implementation of strict file format validation before processing. Network-based mitigations can include content filtering systems that identify and block suspicious mp4 file patterns, while application-level protections should incorporate proper error handling and memory safety practices to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow categories and represents a typical attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499 for network denial of service, emphasizing the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries.