CVE-2018-13301 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
In FFmpeg 4.0.1, due to a missing check of a profile value before setting it, the ff_mpeg4_decode_picture_header function in libavcodec/mpeg4videodec.c may trigger a NULL pointer dereference while converting a crafted AVI file to MPEG4, leading to a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-13301 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw in FFmpeg version 4.0.1 that specifically affects the MPEG-4 video decoding functionality. This issue resides within the ff_mpeg4_decode_picture_header function located in the libavcodec/mpeg4videodec.c source file, where the software fails to properly validate profile values before attempting to set them during the processing of crafted AVI files. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-476, which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to application crashes or system instability. The vulnerability manifests when FFmpeg attempts to convert specifically crafted AVI media files into MPEG-4 format, creating a scenario where the application encounters unexpected null references during the decoding process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to prepare a malicious AVI file containing malformed profile data that bypasses normal validation checks. When FFmpeg processes this crafted file, the missing profile validation causes the decoder to attempt to access a null pointer during the picture header decoding phase, resulting in an immediate crash of the application. This behavior aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves the exploitation of resource exhaustion or application instability through media processing vulnerabilities. The denial of service impact occurs because the application terminates unexpectedly, rendering the media conversion service unavailable to legitimate users while the attacker maintains control over the system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-13301 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios targeting multimedia processing systems. Systems that rely on FFmpeg for video transcoding, streaming, or media conversion services become vulnerable to disruption, potentially affecting content delivery networks, media servers, and any platform that processes user-uploaded video content. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where FFmpeg is used in automated processing pipelines or as part of larger multimedia applications, creating opportunities for denial of service attacks that can persistently disrupt services. Organizations utilizing FFmpeg in production environments should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for service disruption attacks, especially in contexts where media processing is a critical component of their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to version 4.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary profile validation fixes. System administrators should implement comprehensive media file validation procedures that include signature checking and content sanitization before processing user-uploaded files through FFmpeg-based systems. Additionally, deploying application-level sandboxing and resource limiting controls can help contain the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper profile value validation before pointer assignment, preventing the null pointer dereference condition that previously occurred during MPEG-4 video header processing. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal application termination patterns and unusual resource consumption during media processing activities to identify potential exploitation attempts.