CVE-2021-32271 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2021
An issue was discovered in gpac through 20200801. A stack-buffer-overflow exists in the function DumpRawUIConfig located in odf_dump.c. It allows an attacker to cause code Execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32271 represents a critical stack buffer overflow flaw within the gpac multimedia framework version 20200801 and earlier. This issue resides in the DumpRawUIConfig function within the odf_dump.c source file, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution that could be exploited by malicious actors. The gpac library serves as a comprehensive multimedia framework supporting various formats including mp4, 3gpp, and other digital media standards, making it a widely used component in multimedia applications and systems. The stack buffer overflow occurs when the application processes malformed input data during the configuration dumping operation, specifically when handling user interface configuration data within the Open Digital Format (ODF) context.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the DumpRawUIConfig function, which fails to validate the size of input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through the processing of specially crafted ODF files, making it exploitable in scenarios where users open or process multimedia content from untrusted sources. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-32271 extends beyond simple denial of service, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or deployment of malicious payloads. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious ODF files that, when processed by gpac-enabled applications, would trigger the buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability affects not only standalone applications using gpac but also systems that rely on gpac for multimedia processing, including content management systems, media players, and streaming platforms. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and increases the potential for widespread impact across various digital ecosystems. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected gpac versions to the latest releases that contain the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation fixes. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for all multimedia content, particularly when processing files from external sources or untrusted networks. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help limit the potential impact by restricting which systems can process potentially malicious multimedia files. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected gpac versions and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent future similar incidents.