CVE-2018-7752 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE
GPAC through 0.7.1 has a Buffer Overflow in the gf_media_avc_read_sps function in media_tools/av_parsers.c, a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-1000100.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7752 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GPAC multimedia framework version 0.7.1 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests in the gf_media_avc_read_sps function located within the media_tools/av_parsers.c source file, which is responsible for parsing AVC (Advanced Video Coding) sequence parameter sets. The flaw arises when processing malformed or specially crafted video streams that contain oversized or improperly formatted sequence parameter set data, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2018-1000100, indicating it operates through different code paths and parsing mechanisms within the GPAC library.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the AVC parsing routine. When the gf_media_avc_read_sps function processes incoming sequence parameter set data, it fails to properly validate the size parameters of the incoming data structures, particularly regarding the maximum frame size and other dimension parameters. This allows an attacker to craft malicious video content that causes the function to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can be exploited for privilege escalation or code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7752 extends significantly across various multimedia applications that rely on GPAC for video processing and playback functionality. Systems utilizing affected versions of GPAC, including media players, streaming servers, content management systems, and multimedia frameworks, become vulnerable to remote code execution when processing malicious video content. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through various attack vectors including web-based media playback, file-based media processing, or network-based streaming scenarios where the target application parses AVC-encoded video streams. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered during normal media processing operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted video content. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation, and T1059, representing command and script injection through compromised multimedia processing components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7752 primarily focus on immediate version updates and comprehensive input validation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to GPAC versions 0.7.2 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. Additionally, implementing strict input sanitization measures, including validating all incoming video stream parameters before processing, can provide defensive measures against exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as content filtering and media validation proxies can help prevent malicious streams from reaching vulnerable applications. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention mechanisms to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia libraries and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures for all media processing components within enterprise environments.