CVE-2019-7698 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in AP4_Array<AP4_CttsTableEntry>::EnsureCapacity in Core/Ap4Array.h in Bento4 1.5.1-627. Crafted MP4 input triggers an attempt at excessive memory allocation, as demonstrated by mp42hls, a related issue to CVE-2018-20095.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7698 resides within the Bento4 library version 1.5.1-627, specifically in the AP4_Array<AP4_CttsTableEntry>::EnsureCapacity function located in Core/Ap4Array.h. This flaw represents a critical memory allocation issue that can be exploited through carefully crafted MP4 media files. The vulnerability manifests when the mp42hls utility processes malformed input, creating a scenario where the application attempts to allocate excessive memory resources beyond normal operational limits. The issue is particularly concerning as it demonstrates a direct relationship to CVE-2018-20095, indicating a pattern of memory management vulnerabilities within the same codebase that affects multimedia processing capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory allocation validation within the array capacity management system. When processing MP4 files, the EnsureCapacity function fails to properly validate the requested memory allocation size, allowing maliciously constructed media files to trigger disproportionate memory consumption. This flaw operates under CWE-122, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions in heap-based memory management, where insufficient validation leads to excessive memory allocation requests. The vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input sanitization and memory boundary enforcement in the array resizing mechanism, creating a potential denial of service condition where system resources become exhausted.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7698 extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it can be leveraged to disrupt services and potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the mp42hls utility to consume excessive memory, leading to application crashes or system instability. This creates a significant risk for media processing servers, content delivery networks, and any system that relies on Bento4 for MP4 file handling. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in automated processing environments where multiple files are processed sequentially, as a single malicious file can cause cascading failures throughout the processing pipeline. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort means of causing service disruption while maintaining a relatively low detection risk due to the legitimate nature of MP4 file processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and memory allocation limits within the Bento4 library. System administrators should immediately update to patched versions of Bento4 where available, as the vulnerability affects core memory management functions that are fundamental to the library's operation. Additionally, implementing resource monitoring and allocation limits on systems processing MP4 files can provide defense-in-depth measures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 for resource exhaustion attacks, emphasizing the need for proper memory management controls. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media file processing, limiting the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and ensuring that memory allocation failures do not compromise overall system stability. Regular security audits of multimedia processing pipelines and input validation mechanisms remain essential for preventing similar issues from emerging in other components of the system architecture.