CVE-2018-13846 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
An issue has been found in Bento4 1.5.1-624. AP4_Mpeg2TsVideoSampleStream::WriteSample in Core/Ap4Mpeg2Ts.cpp has a heap-based buffer over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13846 resides within the Bento4 media processing library version 1.5.1-624 and specifically targets the AP4_Mpeg2TsVideoSampleStream::WriteSample function located in Core/Ap4Mpeg2Ts.cpp. This issue constitutes a heap-based buffer over-read that occurs when processing MPEG-2 transport stream video samples, representing a critical security flaw that can potentially be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability arises from inadequate bounds checking within the sample stream processing logic, allowing an attacker to manipulate input data in a manner that causes the application to read beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests when the WriteSample function processes video sample data without proper validation of buffer limits, enabling an attacker to craft specially formatted MPEG-2 transport stream data that triggers the over-read condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions in software implementations. The improper memory access can lead to information disclosure, application instability, or potentially remote code execution depending on the specific implementation context and memory layout. The heap-based nature of the over-read indicates that the vulnerability occurs within dynamically allocated memory regions, making it particularly dangerous as it can expose sensitive data structures or cause unpredictable application behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can affect any application or system that utilizes Bento4 for processing MPEG-2 transport stream content. This includes media processing servers, content delivery networks, and various digital media applications that handle video streaming data. The vulnerability can be exploited through crafted media files or network streams, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from memory, cause denial of service conditions, or in more severe cases, execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or information gathering activities within the compromised system environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13846 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bento4 installations to version 1.5.1-625 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should implement input validation controls that sanitize all MPEG-2 transport stream data before processing, particularly focusing on sample size and structure validation. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious media file patterns and network traffic related to this vulnerability can provide early warning capabilities. Memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce exploitability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of media processing environments are essential to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the broader media handling ecosystem, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption threats that could be exploited through different attack vectors within the same software infrastructure.