CVE-2018-10790 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
The AP4_CttsAtom class in Core/Ap4CttsAtom.cpp in Bento4 1.5.1.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash), related to a memory allocation failure, as demonstrated by mp2aac.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10790 resides within the AP4_CttsAtom class implementation in the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.5.1.0. This flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely through malformed media file processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the Core/Ap4CttsAtom.cpp source file, where improper memory allocation handling leads to application crashes when processing certain media content. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be exploited through the mp2aac media format, which is commonly used in various multimedia applications and streaming services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the CTTS (Composition Time to Sample) atom parsing functionality. When the AP4_CttsAtom class processes media files containing malformed CTTS atom data, it fails to properly handle memory allocation requests that exceed available resources or encounter unexpected data structures. This memory allocation failure directly translates to an application crash, effectively rendering the affected system unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to memory corruption and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential security risk for systems that process multimedia content from untrusted sources. Media processing applications, streaming platforms, and content delivery networks that utilize Bento4 for format handling become susceptible to remote exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious media files specifically designed to trigger the memory allocation failure in the CTTS atom parser, causing service disruption and potential system instability. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing occurs, as it can lead to cascading failures and resource exhaustion attacks that may compromise broader system availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10790 should focus on immediate software updates and input validation enhancements. Organizations utilizing Bento4 should upgrade to versions that contain patched implementations of the AP4_CttsAtom class and related memory allocation routines. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and memory allocation error handling within the CTTS atom parsing logic. Additionally, implementing input sanitization measures and validating media file structures before processing can prevent exploitation attempts. Security practitioners should also consider deploying network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious media content. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices in multimedia processing libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion and application instability.