CVE-2021-46043 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2022
A Pointer Dereference Vulnerability exits in GPAC 1.0.1 in the gf_list_count function, which causes a Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-46043 represents a critical pointer dereference flaw within the GPAC multimedia framework version 1.0.1. This issue specifically manifests within the gf_list_count function, which is responsible for counting elements within a list structure. The flaw arises when the function attempts to dereference a pointer that may not be properly initialized or validated, creating a potential pathway for system instability. Such vulnerabilities typically stem from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly check pointer states before attempting memory access operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of software reliability and memory management failures. When the gf_list_count function processes a malformed or unexpected list structure, it can lead to a null pointer dereference or invalid memory access pattern that causes the application to crash. This behavior directly maps to CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign list counting operations can become critical failure points when proper defensive programming practices are not implemented.
From an operational perspective, this denial of service vulnerability presents significant risk to systems relying on GPAC for multimedia processing and playback functionality. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt multimedia streaming services, video conferencing platforms, or content delivery systems that depend on this framework. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious media files or data streams that trigger the vulnerable function path, leading to service interruption for legitimate users. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through normal media processing workflows, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-46043 should focus on immediate patch deployment and enhanced input validation within the affected software ecosystem. Organizations should prioritize updating to GPAC versions that address this specific pointer dereference issue, as the vulnerability represents a clear failure in defensive programming practices. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual application termination patterns and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific function. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following ATT&CK framework guidance for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities in multimedia processing applications. The flaw underscores the necessity of comprehensive testing procedures including fuzz testing and static analysis to identify similar pointer-related issues before they can be exploited in production environments.