CVE-2022-24451 in VP9 Video Extensions
Summary
by MITRE • 03/09/2022
VP9 Video Extensions Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2022-24501.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2026
The CVE-2022-24451 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the VP9 Video Extensions component of certain software systems. This vulnerability specifically affects implementations that utilize VP9 video decoding capabilities, which are commonly found in multimedia applications, web browsers, and video processing frameworks. The flaw exists in the handling of malformed video data during the decoding process, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as VP9 is widely adopted in streaming services, video conferencing platforms, and multimedia applications, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise user systems through media-based attacks. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the video extension processing logic, where untrusted video data can trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions that allow attackers to gain control over the executing process. The vulnerability affects systems that implement VP9 decoding functionality, particularly those that process video content from untrusted sources without proper sanitization mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper bounds checking and memory management during VP9 video frame processing. When the affected software encounters specially crafted video data, the VP9 decoder fails to properly validate the structure and size of video frames, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical program memory locations, including return addresses or function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code. The vulnerability manifests during the decoding phase when the software attempts to parse and render VP9 video content, particularly in scenarios involving complex video structures or malformed frame headers. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, both of which are common entry points for remote code execution exploits. The attack vector requires the victim to process or view malicious video content, typically through web browsers or multimedia applications that utilize VP9 decoding components.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-24451 extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire user bases across affected platforms. Attackers can craft malicious video files or streams that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the remote code execution vulnerability. This creates a significant threat landscape for organizations relying on VP9-based video processing, as the attack surface includes web browsers, media players, video conferencing tools, and content management systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised streaming services, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Organizations using affected software may experience unauthorized access to user systems, data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install backdoors, establish command and control channels, or escalate privileges to gain administrative access. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute malicious commands within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24451 focus primarily on updating affected software components to versions that address the VP9 decoding vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize patching web browsers, multimedia applications, and video processing frameworks that utilize VP9 extensions. Organizations should implement network-based controls to monitor and filter video content from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious media files. Application whitelisting and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers by restricting the execution of untrusted video processing code. Security teams should also consider disabling VP9 decoding in applications where it is not essential for core functionality, particularly in high-security environments. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in multimedia processing components. The implementation of automated threat detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while network segmentation can limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of processing untrusted video content and implementing secure coding practices for multimedia applications can significantly reduce the attack surface and overall risk exposure.