CVE-2018-14543 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
There exists one NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in AP4_JsonInspector::AddField in Ap4Atom.cpp in Bento4 1.5.1-624, which can allow attackers to cause a denial-of-service via a crafted mp4 file. This vulnerability can be triggered by the executable mp4dump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14543 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.5.1-624. This issue specifically manifests in the AP4_JsonInspector::AddField function located in the Ap4Atom.cpp source file, demonstrating a classic software engineering oversight that can be exploited to compromise system availability. The vulnerability occurs when processing malformed mp4 files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multimedia content processing is automated or untrusted.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the JSON inspection component of the Bento4 library. When the mp4dump executable encounters a crafted mp4 file containing malformed atom structures, the AP4_JsonInspector::AddField function attempts to dereference a null pointer without proper null checks. This condition violates fundamental programming practices and creates an exploitable path where an attacker can craft specific mp4 file structures that will cause the application to crash. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a null pointer dereference, which represents a well-known weakness in software development that leads to application instability and potential denial-of-service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial-of-service conditions against systems processing mp4 media files. Attackers can craft malicious mp4 files that, when processed by the mp4dump utility, will trigger the null pointer dereference and cause the application to terminate unexpectedly. This scenario is particularly concerning in automated media processing environments where multiple files are processed sequentially, as a single malicious file can disrupt entire processing pipelines. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on Bento4 for mp4 file analysis, inspection, or manipulation, potentially impacting content delivery networks, media processing servers, and digital asset management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14543 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bento4 installations to version 1.6.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the null pointer dereference issue. Organizations should implement defensive programming practices including comprehensive input validation and null pointer checks in their own code that interfaces with Bento4 libraries. Network segmentation and file validation mechanisms should be deployed to prevent untrusted mp4 files from reaching systems that process media content. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual application termination patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, as the exploitation directly results in application availability compromise through controlled resource exhaustion. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for mp4 file processing to contain potential exploitation attempts and prevent broader system compromise.