CVE-2022-3757 in Exiv2
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2022
A vulnerability was found in Exiv2. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function QuickTimeVideo::decodeBlock of the file quicktimevideo.cpp of the component QuickTime Video Handler. The manipulation leads to buffer overflow. The attack can be launched remotely. The name of the patch is d3651fdbd352cbaf259f89abf7557da343339378. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-212497 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2022
The vulnerability in Exiv2 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the QuickTime Video Handler component, specifically affecting the QuickTimeVideo::decodeBlock function in quicktimevideo.cpp. This flaw constitutes a severe security weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through remote exploitation. The buffer overflow occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data during video frame decoding processes, allowing malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory regions with crafted data. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered remotely without requiring local system access, making them ideal targets for widespread exploitation across networked environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the video decoding routine where input data from QuickTime video files is processed without proper sanitization mechanisms. When maliciously constructed video frames are parsed by the affected function, the buffer overflow condition manifests as stack corruption or heap memory overwrites that can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory safety issues. The attack vector is particularly concerning due to the remote execution capability, as it allows threat actors to compromise systems simply by delivering malicious video content through network channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers could leverage this buffer overflow to gain unauthorized access to affected systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors within network infrastructure. The widespread adoption of Exiv2 in various applications and operating systems amplifies the risk profile significantly, as organizations using this library for image metadata processing may unknowingly expose their networks to remote exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that process untrusted video content, including web servers, media processing applications, and digital asset management platforms that rely on Exiv2 for QuickTime video file handling.
Security remediation requires immediate application of the provided patch identified by commit hash d3651fdbd352cbaf259f89abf7557da343339378, which addresses the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory boundary checks. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected environments while implementing additional mitigations such as network segmentation to limit exposure and monitoring for suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability identifier VDB-212497 confirms its recognition within security databases and underscores the urgency of remediation efforts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential attack surfaces related to video processing libraries, ensuring complete defense against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in their technology stack.