CVE-2018-1000100 in MP4Box
Summary
by MITRE
GPAC MP4Box version 0.7.1 and earlier contains a Buffer Overflow vulnerability in src/isomedia/avc_ext.c lines 2417 to 2420 that can result in Heap chunks being modified, this could lead to RCE. This attack appear to be exploitable via an attacker supplied MP4 file that when run by the victim may result in RCE.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000100 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within GPAC MP4Box software version 0.7.1 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically resides in the source file avc_ext.c at lines 2417 through 2420, where improper input validation occurs during the processing of MP4 media files. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking when handling certain AVC (Advanced Video Coding) data structures, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate heap memory through carefully crafted malicious MP4 files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The flaw manifests when the MP4Box application processes specially constructed MP4 files containing malformed AVC data, causing the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries in heap chunks. This heap corruption directly enables attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures that govern program execution flow. The vulnerability's exploitability is significantly enhanced by the fact that it requires no special privileges beyond normal user execution, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might encounter malicious media files through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on GPAC MP4Box for video processing and media file conversion tasks. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over systems running vulnerable versions of the software, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or use as a pivot point for further network infiltration. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it only requires a victim to open or process a malicious MP4 file, making it susceptible to social engineering attacks, drive-by downloads, or automated exploitation through compromised web services. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual systems to potentially affect entire networks when the software is used in enterprise environments for media processing pipelines, content management systems, or automated workflow solutions.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of all affected GPAC MP4Box installations to versions 0.7.2 or later where the buffer overflow has been corrected. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all MP4 media files processed through the software, including content scanning and sandboxed execution environments for untrusted media files. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable software, while regular security audits should verify that no legacy installations remain in production environments. Additionally, security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network intrusion detection systems and implement proper input sanitization measures for any custom applications that might interact with MP4 file processing functionality, as outlined in the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1203 for legitimate program exploitation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.