CVE-2019-12482 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in GPAC 0.7.1. There is a NULL pointer dereference in the function gf_isom_get_original_format_type at isomedia/drm_sample.c in libgpac.a, as demonstrated by MP4Box.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12482 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the GPAC multimedia framework version 0.7.1. This issue specifically affects the gf_isom_get_original_format_type function located in the isomedia/drm_sample.c file of the libgpac.a library. The vulnerability manifests when processing MP4 files through the MP4Box utility, which is a core component of the GPAC toolkit used for multimedia file manipulation and conversion. The flaw occurs during the handling of digital rights management sample information within iso media files, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process protected multimedia content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the DRM sample processing pipeline. When the gf_isom_get_original_format_type function encounters certain malformed or improperly structured MP4 files, it attempts to dereference a null pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated. This null pointer dereference occurs during the extraction of original format type information from DRM samples, which is essential for maintaining proper multimedia file metadata and access control. The function fails to perform proper null checks before accessing pointer variables, leading to an immediate crash of the MP4Box application when processing maliciously crafted input files. This behavior aligns with CWE-476, which categorizes null pointer dereference vulnerabilities as a fundamental programming error that can lead to application instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-12482 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be exploited to cause denial of service attacks against systems that rely on GPAC for multimedia processing. Attackers can craft specially designed MP4 files that trigger the null pointer dereference when processed by MP4Box or other applications utilizing the vulnerable libgpac.a library. This vulnerability affects the broader multimedia processing ecosystem since GPAC is widely used in various media servers, content management systems, and multimedia applications that handle iso media file formats. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated media processing occurs, as it could lead to persistent service disruption. The flaw also has implications for security researchers and developers who may inadvertently trigger the vulnerability while analyzing multimedia content or developing applications that interface with GPAC components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12482 should prioritize immediate software updates to GPAC version 0.7.2 or later, which contains the patched implementation of the affected function. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize all MP4 files before processing them through GPAC-based applications, including the use of file format verification and structure analysis tools. Network security controls should be enhanced to monitor for suspicious file processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where automated media handling occurs. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "File Deletion" and related denial of service activities, underscores the importance of implementing robust monitoring and incident response procedures. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices such as null pointer checks, proper error handling, and input validation to prevent similar issues in custom applications that interface with multimedia libraries. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for multimedia processing tasks and regularly update all multimedia processing components to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities in the GPAC framework.