CVE-2018-13005 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in MP4Box in GPAC 0.7.1. The function urn_Read in isomedia/box_code_base.c has a heap-based buffer over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13005 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the MP4Box component of the GPAC multimedia framework version 0.7.1. This issue resides in the urn_Read function located in the isomedia/box_code_base.c source file, where improper bounds checking allows maliciously crafted media files to trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially constructed Universal Resource Name (URN) elements within ISO media files, potentially leading to information disclosure or system instability. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the application attempts to access memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls within the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through malformed media file processing. The impact extends beyond simple memory corruption since the over-read can expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, potentially revealing cryptographic keys, system pointers, or other confidential information. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious MP4 or ISO media files containing malformed URN structures that trigger the vulnerable code path when processed by applications utilizing GPAC libraries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the urn_Read function which fails to properly verify the length of incoming data before attempting to read from memory locations. When the function processes URN elements, it calculates memory offsets based on potentially untrusted input without adequate bounds checking, allowing an attacker to manipulate the read operation to access memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This flaw demonstrates a classic buffer over-read pattern where the application does not validate that the requested data length fits within the allocated memory space, creating an opportunity for information leakage or potential code execution. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability indicates that the affected memory regions are dynamically allocated and managed by the application's memory allocator, making the exploitation more complex but also more dangerous due to the potential for data corruption in critical memory areas. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize GPAC libraries for media processing, including multimedia applications, streaming services, and content delivery platforms that handle ISO media files. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through simple file manipulation, making it particularly dangerous for web applications and services that process user-uploaded media content.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-13005 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader security implications for organizations relying on GPAC-based multimedia processing. Systems exposed to untrusted media content, such as content management systems, streaming platforms, and media processing pipelines, face elevated risk of information disclosure and potential service disruption. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based file uploads, automated media processing workflows, and content delivery networks that handle ISO media files. Organizations using affected versions of GPAC must consider the potential for sensitive data exposure from adjacent memory regions, which could include application state information, cryptographic material, or other confidential system data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in denial of service conditions when memory corruption occurs, or in more severe cases, enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0005 (Defense Evasion) through potential process injection techniques and TA0002 (Execution) via client-side exploitation. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of GPAC libraries to version 0.7.2 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional protective measures such as input sanitization for media files, network segmentation for processing services, and regular security assessments of multimedia handling components to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive input validation in all data parsing operations.