CVE-2019-14533 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
The Control function of demux/asf/asf.c in VideoLAN VLC media player 3.0.7.1 has a use-after-free.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14533 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the VideoLAN VLC media player version 3.0.7.1. This issue resides in the demux/asf/asf.c component and specifically affects the Control function implementation. The flaw occurs when the media player processes Advanced Systems Format files, which are commonly used for multimedia content delivery. The vulnerability manifests during the handling of malformed or maliciously crafted ASF files that exploit memory management errors in the demultiplexer module responsible for parsing these container formats.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation practices within the Control function of the ASF demuxer. When VLC processes certain ASF media streams, it may free memory resources associated with control structures while still maintaining references to those locations. Subsequent operations attempt to access this freed memory, leading to unpredictable behavior including potential code execution. This use-after-free condition creates an exploitable scenario where attackers can craft malicious ASF files designed to trigger the memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable media player. The flaw specifically relates to CWE-416 which defines use-after-free vulnerabilities as a condition where memory is accessed after it has been freed, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple media playback disruption, as it creates a potential vector for remote code execution attacks. An attacker could distribute malicious ASF files through various channels including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised media sharing platforms. When unsuspecting users open these files with the vulnerable VLC version, the exploitation could result in arbitrary code execution on the target system with the privileges of the user running the media player. This risk is particularly significant given VLC's widespread adoption across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms, making the attack surface substantial. The vulnerability could enable attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14533 primarily focus on immediate software updates and defensive measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to VLC media player version 3.0.8 or later, where the memory management issues within the ASF demuxer have been addressed through proper memory deallocation and reference tracking. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all systems running VLC are updated promptly. Additionally, users should exercise caution when opening media files from untrusted sources and consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict media player execution to trusted environments. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of opening unknown media files and the importance of keeping media player software updated.