CVE-2022-24576 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2022
GPAC 1.0.1 is affected by Use After Free through MP4Box.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-24576 represents a critical use after free flaw in GPAC version 1.0.1, specifically within the MP4Box component that handles multimedia file processing. This issue arises from improper memory management during the handling of MP4 media files, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists in the way MP4Box processes certain malformed or specially crafted MP4 files, where memory allocated to handle file structures is freed prematurely while still being referenced by subsequent operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory, and is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through media file manipulation in various contexts where GPAC is used for video processing and streaming.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious MP4 file that triggers improper memory deallocation within the MP4Box processing pipeline. When the software attempts to access memory that has already been freed, it creates unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The attack surface is particularly broad given that MP4Box is commonly used in multimedia applications, content management systems, and streaming platforms where users may encounter untrusted media files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on GPAC for media processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-24576 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. Organizations using GPAC 1.0.1 in production environments face risks of unauthorized access, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within networks if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects not only end-user applications but also server-side systems that process media files, creating risks for content delivery networks, streaming services, and multimedia processing platforms. Given that MP4 files are ubiquitous across various digital platforms, the potential attack vectors are extensive, including web applications, mobile apps, and enterprise media processing systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective as it can be exploited through multiple attack channels without requiring specialized knowledge of the underlying system architecture.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to GPAC versions that address this vulnerability, as the vendor has released patches to resolve the use after free condition. Network segmentation and file validation measures can provide additional protection by filtering potentially malicious media files before they reach systems running vulnerable versions of GPAC. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing patterns and memory access anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues across multimedia processing components. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media processing tools, particularly in environments where users may encounter unverified content from external sources.