CVE-2022-36186 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2022
A Null Pointer dereference vulnerability exists in GPAC 2.1-DEV-revUNKNOWN-master via the function gf_filter_pid_set_property_full () at filter_core/filter_pid.c:5250,which causes a Denial of Service (DoS). This vulnerability was fixed in commit b43f9d1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36186 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the GPAC multimedia framework version 2.1-DEV-revUNKNOWN-master. This issue manifests specifically within the gf_filter_pid_set_property_full() function located in the filter_core/filter_pid.c source file at line 5250. The GPAC framework serves as a comprehensive multimedia processing library that handles various digital media formats and protocols, making it a critical component in media streaming and processing applications. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and error handling within the filter management subsystem, where the application fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to dereference them. This flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-476, which describes null pointer dereference vulnerabilities that occur when a program attempts to access memory through a null pointer reference.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to potential denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt multimedia processing workflows. When exploited, the null pointer dereference causes the targeted application or service utilizing GPAC to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying legitimate users access to multimedia processing capabilities. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely on GPAC for media filtering, packet processing, or stream management operations, including content delivery networks, media servers, and multimedia applications. The DoS condition can be triggered through malformed input data or improper configuration parameters that cause the filter_pid_set_property_full() function to attempt operations on uninitialized or invalid memory references. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to disrupt services by sending specially crafted media streams or filter configurations that trigger the null pointer dereference condition.
The fix implemented in commit b43f9d1 addresses this vulnerability by introducing proper null pointer validation and error handling within the affected function. This mitigation strategy aligns with established security best practices and follows the principle of defensive programming, ensuring that all pointer references are validated before dereferencing operations occur. The solution likely incorporates input sanitization measures and robust error checking mechanisms that prevent the application from proceeding with invalid pointer operations. Organizations deploying GPAC-based solutions should prioritize updating to versions containing this fix to eliminate the risk of denial of service attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management and input validation in multimedia processing libraries, as these components often handle untrusted data from various sources and must maintain robust error handling to prevent system instability. This issue demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in core library functions can lead to significant operational disruptions in multimedia processing environments.
The vulnerability classifies under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or application crashes, and specifically relates to the broader category of service disruption techniques that target application stability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security fixes, particularly for widely-used multimedia libraries that form the foundation of many digital media processing pipelines. The incident underscores the necessity of thorough code review and testing procedures for critical system components, especially those handling multimedia data streams that may be subject to malicious input manipulation.