CVE-2019-13962 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
lavc_CopyPicture in modules/codec/avcodec/video.c in VideoLAN VLC media player through 3.0.7 has a heap-based buffer over-read because it does not properly validate the width and height.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13962 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the VideoLAN VLC media player software. This issue exists in the lavc_CopyPicture function located in the modules/codec/avcodec/video.c file, affecting all versions up to and including 3.0.7. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of width and height parameters during video processing operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted media files can trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. Such buffer over-read conditions typically occur when an application reads data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information or enabling further exploitation vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to construct specially formatted media files that, when processed by VLC, cause the application to read beyond the intended memory buffer limits. This over-read behavior manifests during video frame copying operations where the width and height dimensions are not properly validated against expected ranges or buffer boundaries. The flaw essentially permits arbitrary memory reads that could potentially expose portions of the application's memory space, including stack contents, heap data, or other sensitive information. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which falls under the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure or denial of service conditions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for users who may encounter malicious media files in various contexts including email attachments, web downloads, or peer-to-peer sharing networks. The exploitability of this flaw depends on the user's interaction with crafted media content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently process untrusted media files. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from the application's memory space, potentially including user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in memory. The vulnerability also poses a risk for denial of service attacks where repeated exploitation could cause application crashes or system instability. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through media file processing.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13962 primarily involve updating to patched versions of VLC media player where the width and height validation has been properly implemented. Users should immediately upgrade to VLC version 3.0.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement media file validation policies that restrict processing of untrusted media content, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious files. Network security controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. System administrators should also monitor for any suspicious network activity related to media file processing and ensure that automatic update mechanisms are enabled to maintain current security patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory boundary checking in multimedia processing applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of codec implementations against various input scenarios.