CVE-2022-3965 in ffmpeg
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in ffmpeg. This vulnerability affects the function smc_encode_stream of the file libavcodec/smcenc.c of the component QuickTime Graphics Video Encoder. The manipulation of the argument y_size leads to out-of-bounds read. The attack can be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is 13c13109759090b7f7182480d075e13b36ed8edd. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-213544.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3965 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the ffmpeg media processing library, specifically affecting the QuickTime Graphics Video Encoder component. This flaw exists in the smc_encode_stream function located within libavcodec/smcenc.c, where improper validation of the y_size argument creates a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates significant security implications, particularly given that the attack vector can be initiated remotely, making it exploitable across network boundaries without requiring local system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when a program attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This particular flaw demonstrates how insufficient input validation in multimedia encoding libraries can create opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information from memory or potentially cause application crashes. The remote exploit capability suggests that attackers could craft malicious video files or streaming content that, when processed by vulnerable ffmpeg installations, would trigger the out-of-bounds read condition and potentially lead to information disclosure or denial-of-service scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3965 extends beyond simple code execution, as ffmpeg serves as a foundational component for numerous media processing applications, streaming platforms, and content delivery networks. Organizations relying on ffmpeg for video encoding, transcoding, or streaming operations face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly those processing user-uploaded content or handling untrusted media files. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used library means that exploitation could affect multiple downstream applications, from web browsers to content management systems, making the potential attack surface extremely broad. The patch referenced in the vulnerability description, identified by the commit hash 13c13109759090b7f7182480d075e13b36ed8edd, provides the necessary fix to address the input validation issue within the y_size parameter handling.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious file delivery and privilege escalation through memory corruption exploits. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors could potentially leverage this vulnerability in phishing campaigns, content delivery networks, or social engineering attacks where users are诱导 to process malicious media files. Security practitioners should prioritize patching this vulnerability across all systems running ffmpeg, especially those handling untrusted media input, as the remediation is straightforward and directly addresses the core validation issue. The vulnerability's identification as VDB-213544 indicates it has been catalogued in vulnerability databases, making it trackable through standard security monitoring systems and ensuring proper remediation prioritization in security operations centers.