CVE-2022-36191 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2022
A heap-buffer-overflow had occurred in function gf_isom_dovi_config_get of isomedia/avc_ext.c:2490, as demonstrated by MP4Box. This vulnerability was fixed in commit fef6242.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2026
The heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36191 represents a critical memory safety issue within the GPAC multimedia framework's MP4Box utility. This flaw manifests in the gf_isom_dovi_config_get function located in the isomedia/avc_ext.c source file at line 2490, where improper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate heap memory through malformed input data. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of Dolby Vision configuration data within mp4 container files, making it particularly dangerous for multimedia processing applications that handle diverse video content formats. The issue arises from insufficient validation of input parameters during the parsing of Dolby Vision metadata, creating opportunities for memory corruption that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or application crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries. This flaw occurs during the processing of Dolby Vision configuration structures within mp4 files, where the function fails to properly validate the size of incoming data before attempting to copy it into fixed-size buffers. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significant as it can be triggered through crafted mp4 files containing malformed Dolby Vision metadata, making it a vector for both denial-of-service attacks and potential remote code execution scenarios. The heap memory corruption results from the function not adequately checking the length of Dolby Vision configuration data against the buffer size, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent heap memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-36191 extends beyond simple application instability, as it affects multimedia processing systems that rely on MP4Box for video container manipulation and analysis. Systems utilizing GPAC libraries for video transcoding, streaming, or content processing are particularly at risk, especially when handling untrusted mp4 content from external sources. The vulnerability can be exploited in scenarios involving automated video processing pipelines, content management systems, or media servers that automatically parse and process mp4 files. Attackers could craft malicious mp4 files with oversized Dolby Vision configuration data to trigger the heap overflow, potentially leading to system compromise or service disruption. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where multimedia content ingestion workflows are common, as well as cloud-based video processing services that may be exposed to untrusted input.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36191 should focus on immediate patch application, as the vulnerability was addressed through commit fef6242 which implemented proper bounds checking for the Dolby Vision configuration parsing. Organizations should prioritize updating their GPAC installations to versions containing the fixed implementation, ensuring that all systems processing mp4 content are protected against this heap buffer overflow. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls that sanitize mp4 file contents before processing, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous file processing behavior. The fix aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and follows ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and code injection through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and flag potential exploitation attempts involving malformed mp4 files containing Dolby Vision metadata, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar memory safety issues.