CVE-2019-15048 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Bento4 1.5.1.0. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in the AP4_RtpAtom class at Core/Ap4RtpAtom.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15048 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.5.1.0. This issue resides in the AP4_RtpAtom class located in the Core/Ap4RtpAtom.cpp source file, making it a fundamental component of the software's processing pipeline for handling RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) atoms. The Bento4 library serves as a comprehensive multimedia framework for processing and packaging various video and audio formats, including mp4, mpeg-dash, and webm containers. The flaw specifically manifests when the library processes malformed or specially crafted RTP atom data structures, creating a potential entry point for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the AP4_RtpAtom class implementation. When processing RTP atoms, the software fails to properly validate the size or content of incoming data structures, allowing maliciously crafted input to exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. This heap-based overflow occurs during the parsing or manipulation of RTP atom metadata, where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory space. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through memory corruption. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper memory management practices and insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within the multimedia processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly across various attack vectors and exploitation scenarios. An attacker could leverage this flaw by providing maliciously crafted media files or streams containing specially constructed RTP atoms to any application utilizing the vulnerable Bento4 library. This includes content delivery networks, media processing servers, streaming platforms, and any software that relies on Bento4 for multimedia file handling or packaging. The consequences range from denial of service conditions where applications crash due to memory corruption, to more severe exploitation possibilities such as arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where automated media processing occurs, as attackers could craft media files that trigger the overflow during routine processing operations, potentially leading to remote code execution. The impact is amplified in server-side applications where the library processes untrusted user uploads or external media sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15048 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive input validation measures. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Bento4 that addresses the heap overflow issue in AP4_RtpAtom class implementation. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization protocols for all multimedia content processed through systems utilizing Bento4, including implementing proper bounds checking and memory allocation safeguards. Network-based mitigations can include content filtering and media validation services that scan for potentially malicious media files before they reach processing systems. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual processing patterns or memory corruption indicators that might signal exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated libraries in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing applications before full deployment across production systems.