CVE-2018-14585 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
An issue has been discovered in Bento4 1.5.1-624. AP4_BytesToUInt16BE in Core/Ap4Utils.h has a heap-based buffer over-read after a call from the AP4_Stz2Atom class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14585 resides within the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.5.1-624, specifically within the AP4_BytesToUInt16BE function located in Core/Ap4Utils.h. This heap-based buffer over-read represents a critical security flaw that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise when processing malformed multimedia files. The issue manifests when the AP4_Stz2Atom class invokes the AP4_BytesToUInt16BE function, creating a scenario where memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries is accessed, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling arbitrary code execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the AP4_BytesToUInt16BE function, which is designed to convert byte sequences into 16-bit unsigned integers in big-endian format. When the AP4_Stz2Atom class processes atom data structures within multimedia files, it fails to validate the length of data being read before calling the conversion function. This lack of proper input validation creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious multimedia files that trigger the buffer over-read when the application attempts to parse the stz2 atom structure. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer over-read, which aligns with CWE-125, a well-known weakness category that describes the condition where memory is read beyond the boundaries of a buffer, potentially leading to information disclosure or code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can enable attackers to perform remote code execution or cause denial of service conditions within applications that utilize the Bento4 framework. Systems processing multimedia content, including media servers, streaming platforms, and content management systems, become vulnerable when they incorporate Bento4 libraries without proper input validation. The attack surface is particularly concerning for applications that automatically process user-uploaded multimedia files or those that handle content from untrusted sources. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability affects any system where Bento4 is integrated, particularly media processing applications, content delivery networks, and digital rights management systems that rely on this framework for handling mp4 and related multimedia formats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14585 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 measures that restrict the size and format of multimedia files processed by applications using Bento4, including implementing strict file size limits and content type checks. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by limiting which systems can process multimedia content. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing patterns and implementing regular security audits of multimedia processing pipelines can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the core issue by adding proper bounds checking to the AP4_BytesToUInt16BE function, ensuring that memory access operations remain within allocated buffer boundaries regardless of input data characteristics. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of vulnerable Bento4 versions in their software environments and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle multimedia file processing vulnerabilities.