CVE-2022-27146 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2022
GPAC mp4box 1.1.0-DEV-rev1759-geb2d1e6dd-has a heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability in function gf_isom_apple_enum_tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27146 represents a critical heap-buffer-overflow condition within the GPAC mp4box utility version 1.1.0-DEV-rev1759-geb2d1e6dd. This issue manifests specifically within the gf_isom_apple_enum_tag function, which processes Apple-specific metadata tags in mp4 files. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to enumerate and handle Apple iTunes metadata within media files, creating a scenario where memory allocation boundaries are exceeded during buffer operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking when processing malformed or specially crafted mp4 files containing Apple-specific metadata structures.
The technical exploitation of this heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate memory operations by providing maliciously constructed mp4 files that trigger the vulnerable function. When mp4box processes these files, the gf_isom_apple_enum_tag function fails to properly validate the size of metadata tags before attempting to read or write data into allocated memory buffers. This oversight creates a condition where the application may write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core media processing functionality of mp4box, which is commonly used for media file manipulation and conversion tasks across various platforms and applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable remote code execution in scenarios where mp4box is used in automated processing workflows or web applications. Attackers could craft malicious mp4 files that, when processed by vulnerable versions of mp4box, would trigger the heap overflow condition. This could result in system compromise, denial of service attacks, or data corruption within environments that rely on GPAC for media processing. The vulnerability affects any system running the specific version of mp4box mentioned in the CVE, particularly those that process untrusted media files or integrate mp4box into automated workflows where file validation is insufficient.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-27146 should focus on immediate version updates to patched releases of GPAC mp4box where the heap-buffer-overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all mp4 files processed through mp4box, including size limitations and format verification before processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through application exploitation. Additionally, deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing patterns and implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media file handling can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.