CVE-2022-24249 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2022
A Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability exists in GPAC 1.1.0 via the xtra_box_write function in /box_code_base.c, which causes a Denial of Service. This vulnerability was fixed in commit 71f9871.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24249 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the GPAC media processing library version 1.1.0. This issue manifests specifically within the xtra_box_write function located in the /box_code_base.c source file, demonstrating how seemingly minor coding errors can lead to significant system instability. The GPAC library serves as a comprehensive multimedia framework used for processing various media formats, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that rely on robust media handling capabilities. The flaw occurs when the function attempts to dereference a null pointer during box writing operations, which are fundamental components of media file structure manipulation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-476 category of Null Pointer Dereference, a well-documented weakness that occurs when an application attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to null. This particular implementation flaw in GPAC's box writing functionality suggests inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the media processing pipeline. The xtra_box_write function appears to lack proper null pointer checks before attempting to access or manipulate memory structures, creating a predictable crash condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability's location in the core box handling code indicates that it affects the fundamental media file parsing and generation capabilities of the library.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a reliable denial of service condition that can be triggered by feeding malformed or specially crafted media files to applications using GPAC 1.1.0. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing media files that cause the xtra_box_write function to encounter null pointers during processing, resulting in immediate application crashes or system instability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as this flaw can affect any application or system component that utilizes GPAC for media processing, including content delivery networks, media servers, and multimedia applications. The predictable nature of the crash means that adversaries can reliably trigger this vulnerability without requiring complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios.
The fix implemented in commit 71f9871 addresses this vulnerability by introducing proper null pointer validation within the xtra_box_write function, ensuring that memory access operations are only performed when pointers contain valid addresses. This remediation follows established secure coding practices that emphasize defensive programming techniques and input validation. Organizations using GPAC 1.1.0 should prioritize immediate patching to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability demonstrates a clear path to service disruption that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. The fix represents a fundamental improvement to the library's robustness and aligns with industry best practices for preventing memory safety issues. Security teams should monitor for any potential bypass attempts or similar vulnerabilities in related media processing libraries, as this flaw highlights the importance of thorough input validation in multimedia frameworks that handle untrusted content.