CVE-2018-6392 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The filter_slice function in libavfilter/vf_transpose.c in FFmpeg through 3.4.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-array access) via a crafted MP4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6392 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the FFmpeg media processing library, specifically affecting the filter_slice function in libavfilter/vf_transpose.c. This issue manifests when processing specially crafted MP4 files that exploit a buffer over-read condition, potentially leading to application crashes and denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability affects FFmpeg versions through 3.4.1, making it a significant concern for systems relying on this widely-used multimedia framework for video processing and transcoding operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the transpose video filter implementation. When FFmpeg processes a malicious MP4 file containing crafted metadata or video stream data, the filter_slice function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses during the transpose operation. This flaw stems from inadequate parameter validation in the video filtering pipeline, where the function assumes certain array dimensions or buffer sizes without proper verification. The out-of-bounds memory access results in unpredictable behavior including segmentation faults, application termination, or memory corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to media processing servers, content delivery networks, and any systems that accept and process user-uploaded video content through FFmpeg. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, streaming services, or media management platforms. The denial of service impact can result in complete service disruption, potentially affecting thousands of users depending on the scale of the affected system. Organizations using FFmpeg for video transcoding, streaming, or processing workflows face significant operational risks when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks. Effective mitigations include immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to versions 3.4.2 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper bounds checking implementation. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation measures such as file format verification, size limitations, and sandboxed processing environments for user-uploaded content. Network-level protections including rate limiting and content filtering can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual application termination patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of multimedia processing systems remain essential for maintaining robust security postures against similar threats.