CVE-2018-14545 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
There exists one invalid memory read bug in AP4_SampleDescription::GetType() in Ap4SampleDescription.h 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 mp42ts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14545 represents a critical memory safety issue within the Bento4 media processing library version 1.5.1-624. This flaw manifests as an invalid memory read operation within the AP4_SampleDescription::GetType() method located in the Ap4SampleDescription.h header file. The vulnerability specifically affects the mp42ts executable, which serves as a command-line tool for converting mp4 files to ts format. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and memory boundary checking when processing malformed mp4 containers, creating a potential vector for attackers to exploit memory access violations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of crafted mp4 files that contain malformed sample description structures. When the mp42ts utility processes these malicious files, the AP4_SampleDescription::GetType() method attempts to read memory locations that are either uninitialized, freed, or otherwise invalid. This invalid memory read operation can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, segmentation faults, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and operating system configuration. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure or system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14545 extends beyond simple denial-of-service scenarios, as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt legitimate media processing workflows. Systems that rely on Bento4 for automated mp4 file conversion or streaming applications may experience service interruptions when encountering maliciously crafted media files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated processing of user-uploaded content occurs, as attackers could craft mp4 files designed to crash processing applications and thereby prevent legitimate content from being handled. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a critical weakness in software that processes untrusted media files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Bento4 library to version 1.6.0 or later, where the memory read bounds checking has been properly implemented. System administrators should also implement input validation measures that verify mp4 file integrity before processing, including checksum validation and structural analysis of media containers. Additionally, deploying network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing applications and regularly monitor for updated security patches from the Bento4 maintainers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation in applications handling potentially malicious file formats.