CVE-2018-13008 in gpmf-parser
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in gpmf-parser 1.1.2. There is a heap-based buffer over-read in GPMF_parser.c in the function GPMF_Next, related to certain checks for a positive nest_level.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13008 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the gpmf-parser library version 1.1.2. This issue specifically manifests in the GPMF_parser.c source file at the GPMF_Next function where improper validation occurs during nest_level checking operations. The gpmf-parser library serves as a parser for GoPro Media File format data, commonly used in multimedia applications that process video and audio files from GoPro cameras and similar devices. The flaw arises when the parser encounters malformed or specially crafted input data that triggers an incorrect state transition within the nested structure parsing logic, leading to memory access violations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate boundary checking within the nest_level validation logic that governs the parser's traversal through nested data structures. When processing media files containing malformed GPMF metadata, the parser fails to properly validate the nesting level counter before accessing memory locations that may have been freed or reallocated. This condition creates a scenario where the GPMF_Next function attempts to read from memory addresses that are no longer valid or accessible, resulting in a heap-based buffer over-read condition. Such behavior violates fundamental memory safety principles and can lead to unpredictable program execution patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it presents significant security implications for applications that rely on gpmf-parser for media file processing. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw by crafting malicious media files designed to trigger the buffer over-read condition, which might lead to denial of service scenarios, information disclosure, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the target application's memory layout and security mitigations. The vulnerability affects systems where gpmf-parser is integrated as a dependency, particularly multimedia processing applications, video editing software, and digital asset management systems that handle GoPro or similar media file formats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13008 should prioritize immediate patching of the gpmf-parser library to version 1.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive dependency scanning to identify all applications using vulnerable versions of the library and ensure timely updates across the entire software ecosystem. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls, deploying memory safety tools such as address sanitizer during development, and establishing runtime monitoring for abnormal memory access patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may be leveraged by threat actors following ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and code injection through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts targeting this specific parser vulnerability.