CVE-2021-34070 in tsMuxer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2021
Out-of-bounds Read in tsMuxer 2.6.16 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by running the application with a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-34070 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in tsMuxer version 2.6.16 that fundamentally compromises the application's stability and security posture. This issue arises within the media file processing pipeline where tsMuxer fails to properly validate input data structures before attempting to access memory regions beyond the allocated bounds. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes specially crafted media files that contain malformed data structures or unexpected byte sequences in their metadata or stream headers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read conditions, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions as it creates a potential attack vector for adversaries seeking to disrupt media processing workflows. When an attacker successfully triggers this out-of-bounds read condition, the tsMuxer application crashes or becomes unresponsive, effectively rendering the media processing capability unavailable to legitimate users. This disruption can be particularly damaging in automated environments where tsMuxer is used for batch processing of media files, as it can lead to complete workflow failures and data processing delays. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any user who can convince a victim to process a malicious file through the application.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion or application crashes. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign media processing applications can become vectors for system compromise when proper input validation mechanisms are absent. The out-of-bounds read condition can potentially be leveraged to extract sensitive information from memory through information disclosure attacks, although the primary impact remains denial of service. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability exists in a widely-used media processing tool that is frequently employed in both professional and consumer environments, amplifying its potential impact across multiple threat vectors and attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-34070 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of tsMuxer where the input validation has been properly implemented to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures before processing any media content through tsMuxer, including file format verification and content scanning using security tools. Network-level protections can include implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media file processing and restricting direct access to the application from untrusted sources. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety practices in media processing applications and highlights the necessity of comprehensive input validation at all levels of software architecture.