CVE-2019-11222 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE
gf_bin128_parse in utils/os_divers.c in GPAC 0.7.1 has a buffer overflow issue for the crypt feature when encountering a crafted_drm_file.xml file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11222 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GPAC media processing library version 0.7.1. This issue specifically affects the gf_bin128_parse function located in the utils/os_divers.c source file, which handles cryptographic operations during media file processing. The vulnerability manifests when the library encounters a specially crafted drm_file.xml input that triggers improper bounds checking during binary data parsing. This buffer overflow condition creates a potential execution path where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory regions, leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw is particularly concerning because it occurs within the cryptographic parsing functionality, suggesting that attackers could exploit this vulnerability to bypass digital rights management protections or gain unauthorized access to protected media content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the gf_bin128_parse function. When processing the drm_file.xml file, the parser fails to properly verify the length of incoming binary data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow scenario allows attackers to craft malicious XML files containing oversized binary data sequences that exceed the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that this function operates during normal media file processing, meaning legitimate users could inadvertently trigger the vulnerability through malformed input files. The cryptographic nature of the affected component also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of script-based languages for exploitation, though in this case the vulnerability is more directly related to memory corruption techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-11222 extends beyond simple system crashes or denial of service conditions, as the buffer overflow could enable remote code execution in scenarios where GPAC processes untrusted media files. Attackers could potentially craft malicious drm_file.xml files that, when processed by vulnerable GPAC installations, would allow them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This poses significant risks in environments where GPAC is used for media processing, such as content delivery networks, media servers, or applications that handle user-uploaded media files. The vulnerability affects systems running GPAC 0.7.1 and earlier versions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automatic updates are not implemented or where legacy systems remain operational. Organizations using GPAC for media processing, streaming, or digital rights management operations face potential compromise if they have not applied the relevant security patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-11222 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected GPAC installations to version 0.7.2 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should implement input validation measures that restrict the size and format of drm_file.xml files processed by GPAC applications, particularly in environments where user-submitted content is handled. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual processing patterns or file access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected GPAC versions and ensure that proper security controls are in place. The fix implemented by GPAC developers addresses the root cause by adding proper bounds checking and memory allocation validation to prevent the buffer overflow condition from occurring during cryptographic data parsing operations.