CVE-2017-9608 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The dnxhd decoder in FFmpeg before 3.2.6, and 3.3.x before 3.3.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted mov file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9608 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the dnxhd decoder component of FFmpeg software versions prior to 3.2.6 and 3.3.x versions before 3.3.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of crafted mov files that contain maliciously constructed dnxhd video streams. The flaw manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs during the decoding process when FFmpeg attempts to parse malformed input data. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in multimedia processing applications because they can be exploited through routine file processing operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the dnxhd decoder module. When FFmpeg encounters a mov file containing specially crafted dnxhd stream data, the decoder fails to properly validate the structure of the incoming data before attempting to access memory locations. This leads to a situation where the decoder attempts to dereference a NULL pointer, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL pointer dereference, which is a common class of software flaws that can lead to system instability and denial of service conditions. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the software does not adequately check for null return values from memory allocation or parsing functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9608 extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt multimedia processing services and applications that rely on FFmpeg for video handling. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including media servers, content management systems, and video processing pipelines that utilize FFmpeg as their underlying multimedia framework. The attack vector requires only the delivery of a malicious mov file to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing occurs. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause cascading failures in multimedia services, leading to complete service disruption and potential data loss in systems that depend on continuous video processing capabilities.
Organizations and developers utilizing FFmpeg should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to FFmpeg versions 3.2.6 or 3.3.3 and later, which contain the necessary fixes to properly validate input data before attempting to process dnxhd streams. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures and validating file formats before processing can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which involves the use of denial of service techniques against systems. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and maintain regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in their environments.