CVE-2021-45292 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2021
The gf_isom_hint_rtp_read function in GPAC 1.0.1 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (Invalid memory address dereference) via a crafted file in the MP4Box command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45292 resides within the GPAC media processing library version 1.0.1, specifically within the gf_isom_hint_rtp_read function that handles RTP hinting data in MP4 container files. This flaw represents a critical denial of service condition that can be exploited through carefully crafted MP4 files processed by the MP4Box command-line utility. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to read malformed RTP hinting information without proper validation of memory pointers, leading to an invalid memory address dereference that causes the process to crash or terminate unexpectedly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RTP hinting parsing logic. When MP4Box encounters a malformed MP4 file containing crafted RTP hinting data, the gf_isom_hint_rtp_read function fails to properly validate memory references before attempting to access them. This memory management flaw creates a condition where the application attempts to dereference a pointer that either points to an invalid memory location or has been freed, resulting in a segmentation fault or access violation that terminates the process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through routine media file processing operations, making it exploitable in automated environments where media files are processed without user intervention.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on GPAC for media processing, particularly in automated workflows, content management systems, and media servers that process user-uploaded files. Attackers can craft malicious MP4 files that, when processed by MP4Box, will cause the application to crash, effectively denying service to legitimate users. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes as it can be leveraged in broader denial of service attacks against media processing infrastructure, potentially disrupting content delivery networks, media servers, and automated media conversion pipelines that depend on GPAC libraries.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service attacks. Organizations using GPAC 1.0.1 should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the library, implementing input validation for MP4 files before processing, and deploying sandboxing mechanisms for untrusted media content. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring for abnormal process termination patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves adding proper pointer validation checks and memory boundary verification within the gf_isom_hint_rtp_read function to prevent invalid memory access conditions.
Security practitioners should also consider implementing automated file integrity checking and content validation mechanisms to prevent malformed MP4 files from reaching the MP4Box processing pipeline. Regular security assessments of media processing systems and monitoring for unusual resource consumption patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive memory safety testing in media handling applications to prevent similar issues in other components of the media processing stack.