CVE-2017-9992 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the decode_dds1 function in libavcodec/dfa.c in FFmpeg before 2.8.12, 3.0.x before 3.0.8, 3.1.x before 3.1.8, 3.2.x before 3.2.5, and 3.3.x before 3.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2022
The CVE-2017-9992 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting FFmpeg's dfa.c component, specifically within the decode_dds1 function. This vulnerability exists across multiple FFmpeg versions including 2.8.11 and earlier, 3.0.7 and earlier, 3.1.7 and earlier, 3.2.4 and earlier, and 3.3.0 and earlier. The flaw arises from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of DDS (DirectDraw Surface) image format files, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input data can trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multimedia processing libraries since they often handle untrusted input from various sources without adequate sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the decode_dds1 function processes specially crafted DDS files that contain malformed header information or corrupted data structures. The function fails to properly validate the size parameters extracted from the DDS file headers, leading to a situation where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries. When an attacker crafts a malicious DDS file with oversized or malformed dimensions, the decoding routine allocates insufficient memory for the expected output buffer, causing subsequent writes to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can manifest as application crashes during normal operation or potentially allow for more sophisticated attacks if the overwritten memory contains critical control structures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through any application that relies on FFmpeg for multimedia processing, including web browsers, media players, and content management systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9992 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more severe consequences depending on the execution environment. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by delivering malicious DDS files through various attack vectors such as web downloads, email attachments, or file sharing platforms. When an application processes such files, the buffer overflow causes unpredictable behavior ranging from application crashes to potential privilege escalation if the vulnerable system has elevated permissions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling adversaries to perform code injection or memory corruption attacks, and it maps to T1059 through potential command execution if the memory corruption leads to arbitrary code execution. Organizations using affected FFmpeg versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged in supply chain attacks, where malicious actors compromise legitimate software distributions to deliver exploit payloads. The widespread adoption of FFmpeg in multimedia applications makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise large user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9992 primarily involve immediate patching of all affected FFmpeg versions to their respective secure releases. Organizations should prioritize updating to FFmpeg versions 2.8.12, 3.0.8, 3.1.8, 3.2.5, and 3.3.1 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the heap overflow condition. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect and block suspicious file transfers containing DDS formats, particularly in environments where users can upload or download files. Application developers should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms when processing multimedia content, isolating FFmpeg operations in restricted environments to limit potential damage from successful exploits. System administrators should also monitor for unusual application crashes or memory usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia libraries and implementing proper input validation practices in security-conscious environments, as highlighted by industry best practices in secure coding standards and vulnerability management frameworks.