CVE-2019-17529 in Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Bento4 1.5.1.0. There is a heap-based buffer over-read in AP4_CencSampleEncryption::DoInspectFields in Core/Ap4CommonEncryption.cpp when called from AP4_Atom::Inspect in Core/Ap4Atom.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17529 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the Bento4 media processing library version 1.5.1.0. This issue manifests in the AP4_CencSampleEncryption::DoInspectFields function located in Core/Ap4CommonEncryption.cpp, which is invoked during the AP4_Atom::Inspect process from Core/Ap4Atom.cpp. The flaw occurs when the library processes media files containing specific malformed encryption metadata, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The technical nature of the flaw stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the Common Encryption atom processing logic. When the AP4_CencSampleEncryption class attempts to inspect and analyze encryption fields within media atoms, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of the incoming data, leading to memory access violations that can result in unpredictable behavior or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it creates potential attack vectors for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. An attacker who can craft malicious media files with specifically formatted encryption metadata could potentially exploit this flaw to cause the target application to read beyond allocated memory regions, potentially leading to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution depending on the application's memory management and execution context. The vulnerability affects any system utilizing Bento4 1.5.1.0 for processing media files, particularly those handling encrypted content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17529 should prioritize immediate patching of the Bento4 library to version 1.6.0 or later, where the buffer over-read issue has been addressed through improved input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as enabling address sanitizers and stack canaries during development and testing phases. Additionally, input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including file format validation, size checking, and content structure verification before any media processing occurs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve crafting malicious media files to trigger the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious media content, while monitoring for unusual application behavior or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.