CVE-2021-45262 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2021
An invalid free vulnerability exists in gpac 1.1.0 via the gf_sg_command_del function, which causes a segmentation fault and application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45262 represents a critical memory management flaw within the gpac multimedia framework version 1.1.0. This issue manifests through the gf_sg_command_del function, which handles the deletion of scene graph commands within the multimedia processing pipeline. The flaw constitutes a classic invalid free operation that occurs when the application attempts to release memory that has already been freed or when memory is freed without proper allocation tracking. Such memory corruption vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can lead to unpredictable application behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the scene graph command deletion mechanism. When the gf_sg_command_del function processes command removals, it fails to properly validate memory pointers or maintain accurate allocation state tracking. This results in a double free condition or use-after-free scenario where the application attempts to free memory that has already been deallocated or where freed memory is accessed subsequently. The segmentation fault that occurs represents the kernel's response to this invalid memory operation, causing the application to terminate abruptly and resulting in a denial of service condition.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems relying on gpac for multimedia processing and streaming. The application crash resulting from the segmentation fault can disrupt media playback, streaming services, or content delivery operations. In environments where gpac is integrated into larger multimedia applications, such as video servers, content management systems, or digital signage platforms, this vulnerability could lead to service interruptions and potential data loss. The exploitability of this flaw is enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered through normal multimedia processing operations, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-415, which describes double free conditions in memory management, and CWE-416, which covers use-after-free errors. From an attack surface perspective, this weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve crafting specific multimedia content that triggers the invalid free operation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected gpac installations to prevent potential exploitation, as this vulnerability does not require special privileges or complex attack vectors to manifest. The remediation approach involves updating to gpac version 1.1.1 or later, where proper memory management has been implemented to prevent the invalid free operations that trigger the segmentation fault.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple application crashes to potential security implications for multimedia processing systems. Given that gpac is widely used in various multimedia applications, the impact of this flaw could cascade across multiple platforms and services. Security teams should monitor for any exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory corruption vulnerability, particularly in environments where multimedia content processing is critical. Additionally, defensive measures including input validation, memory integrity checks, and application sandboxing can provide additional protection layers against potential exploitation attempts that leverage this invalid free condition.