CVE-2018-14445 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
In Bento4 v1.5.1-624, AP4_File::ParseStream in Ap4File.cpp allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted MP4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14445 affects Bento4 version 1.5.1-624 and represents a critical denial of service flaw within the AP4_File::ParseStream function located in Ap4File.cpp. This issue manifests when the software processes specially crafted MP4 files that trigger an infinite loop condition during parsing operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the media file parser, specifically when encountering malformed or maliciously constructed mp4 containers. The vulnerability impacts the core parsing functionality that handles advanced video and audio stream processing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing occurs. Attackers can exploit this weakness by preparing a malicious mp4 file that, when processed by the vulnerable Bento4 library, causes the application to enter an infinite loop, consuming excessive CPU resources and ultimately leading to system unresponsiveness or complete service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-835, which describes the weakness of an infinite loop or infinite recursion in software systems. This flaw operates at the parsing layer of multimedia processing, where the AP4_File::ParseStream function fails to properly validate the structure and content of mp4 containers before attempting to parse them. The infinite loop occurs because the parser does not implement proper bounds checking or termination conditions when encountering unexpected or malformed data structures within the mp4 file format. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, specifically targeting the availability of services through resource exhaustion attacks. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to denial of service conditions in multimedia processing libraries, where the parsing logic assumes certain data structures will always conform to expected formats.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14445 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect critical infrastructure systems that rely on Bento4 for media processing tasks. Organizations using this library in content delivery networks, streaming platforms, or automated media processing pipelines face significant risk of service degradation or complete system failure when processing maliciously crafted mp4 files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in cloud environments where multiple users can upload media content, as it allows for easy exploitation through simple file uploads without requiring advanced technical skills or privileges. Systems that process large volumes of media files are especially vulnerable, as a single malicious file can cause cascading failures across entire processing pipelines. The resource exhaustion aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly effective as a low-cost attack vector that can be deployed at scale to disrupt services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14445 should prioritize immediate patching of the Bento4 library to version 1.5.1-625 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the infinite loop condition. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all media file processing workflows, including the implementation of timeout mechanisms and resource limits for parsing operations. Network-based mitigations can include content filtering and sandboxing of media files before processing, while application-level protections should enforce proper bounds checking and implement timeout controls during file parsing operations. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual CPU usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated file format validation and integrity checking mechanisms to identify potentially malicious media files before they reach the vulnerable parsing functions. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper termination conditions and bounds checking within the AP4_File::ParseStream function, preventing the infinite loop scenario that previously occurred when encountering malformed mp4 containers.