CVE-2019-8378 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Bento4 1.5.1-628. A heap-based buffer over-read exists in AP4_BitStream::ReadBytes() in Codecs/Ap4BitStream.cpp, a similar issue to CVE-2017-14645. It can be triggered by sending a crafted file to the aac2mp4 binary. It allows an attacker to cause a Denial of Service (Segmentation fault) or possibly have unspecified other impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-8378 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw in the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.5.1-628. This issue resides within the AP4_BitStream::ReadBytes() function located in the Codecs/Ap4BitStream.cpp file, establishing a direct link to similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2017-14645 that have previously affected the same codebase. The flaw manifests when processing crafted input files through the aac2mp4 binary utility, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's memory handling mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer over-read indicates that the application attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents or causing application instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, making it a significant concern for memory safety and application stability. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only the delivery of a specially crafted file to trigger the vulnerability, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the flaw can potentially lead to unspecified other impacts that may include information disclosure or arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. When the aac2mp4 binary processes a maliciously crafted file, the buffer over-read can cause segmentation faults that result in application crashes, effectively implementing a denial of service attack against legitimate users. However, the potential for more severe consequences cannot be dismissed, as buffer over-read vulnerabilities often provide attackers with opportunities to extract sensitive information from memory or potentially manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges or complex attack scenarios, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multimedia file processing is common. The flaw demonstrates the persistent nature of buffer overflow and over-read vulnerabilities in multimedia processing libraries, where the complex parsing of compressed audio and video formats creates numerous potential attack surfaces. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly benign input processing can become a vector for system compromise, particularly when dealing with formats that require extensive bit-level manipulation and parsing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8378 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bento4 installations, as version 1.5.1-628 contains the vulnerable code that requires direct remediation through official software updates. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures for any multimedia file processing workflows, particularly when handling files from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability can be triggered through simple file delivery mechanisms. The implementation of memory safety techniques such as address sanitizers, stack canaries, and heap integrity checks can provide additional protection layers against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should monitor for any related vulnerabilities in the Bento4 framework and related multimedia processing libraries, as this flaw demonstrates the potential for cascading issues within multimedia processing ecosystems. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions of the aac2mp4 utility, particularly in environments where multimedia file processing is common. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and alert on potentially malicious file formats before they are processed by vulnerable applications. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques when processing multimedia content, as this approach can limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts and provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader multimedia processing pipeline.