CVE-2022-24501 in VP9 Video Extensions
Summary
by MITRE • 03/09/2022
VP9 Video Extensions Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2022-24451.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2026
The CVE-2022-24501 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 the VP9 video codec extension, which is commonly found in multimedia processing frameworks and web browsers. The issue stems from improper handling of crafted video data during the decoding process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability impacts systems that process VP9 video streams, particularly those that lack proper input validation mechanisms for video extension data.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition within the VP9 decoder's handling of extension headers and metadata. When processing specially crafted VP9 video streams containing malformed extension data, the decoder fails to properly validate input boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical program memory locations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically representing a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs during video frame processing. The flaw is particularly dangerous because VP9 video extensions are often processed in privileged contexts, allowing successful exploitation to result in complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing software that processes VP9 video content, including web browsers, media players, and streaming platforms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious video content through various vectors such as web pages, email attachments, or streaming services. The remote execution capability means that exploitation does not require local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for widely accessible applications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise environments where media processing applications are prevalent, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent access within network perimeters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24501 should prioritize immediate patching of affected software components, particularly web browsers and media processing frameworks that utilize VP9 video extensions. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to block potentially malicious video content. Security teams should also consider disabling VP9 video extension processing in non-essential applications until patches are deployed. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation typically involves code execution through compromised media processing pipelines. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems that process VP9 video content and establish monitoring procedures for anomalous video processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.