CVE-2018-14531 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Bento4 1.5.1-624. There is an unspecified "heap-buffer-overflow" crash in the AP4_HvccAtom class in Core/Ap4HvccAtom.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14531 represents a critical heap-buffer-overflow condition within the Bento4 media processing library version 1.5.1-624. This issue manifests specifically within the AP4_HvccAtom class located in the Core/Ap4HvccAtom.cpp source file, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the library handles high efficiency video coding (HEVC) metadata parsing. The heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability arises when the application attempts to write beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system instability. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in media processing libraries since they can be triggered by maliciously crafted media files that exploit parsing inconsistencies in the underlying code structure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of memory safety issues as categorized by CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to heap corruption. The flaw occurs during the parsing of HEVC codec information within the Advanced Video Coding (AVC) container format, specifically when processing the HVCC atom structure that contains configuration information for HEVC video streams. Attackers could potentially craft malicious media files containing malformed HVCC atom data that, when processed by the vulnerable Bento4 library, would trigger the buffer overflow condition. This creates an attack surface where remote code execution becomes possible through manipulation of media file parsing routines, particularly in applications that utilize Bento4 for media processing and packaging operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14531 extends beyond simple crash conditions to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. Any application or service relying on Bento4 for media file processing, packaging, or streaming could be vulnerable to exploitation, including content delivery networks, media processing servers, and digital asset management systems. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the library, meaning that legitimate media files could potentially trigger the overflow if they contain unexpected or malformed HEVC configuration data. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious since it could be exploited through normal media processing workflows rather than requiring specially crafted malicious inputs. The implications are significant for organizations that process large volumes of media content, as a single vulnerable file could disrupt entire processing pipelines or provide attackers with persistent access to systems running affected software.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and should include updating to the latest version of Bento4 where the heap-buffer-overflow issue has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory allocation practices. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the vulnerable library are updated across the organization's infrastructure. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for media files before processing, utilizing sandboxing techniques for media handling operations, and deploying network monitoring tools to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted media processing applications and establish robust logging mechanisms to track media file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of media handling components within enterprise environments.