CVE-2022-41841 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2022
An issue was discovered in Bento4 through 1.6.0-639. A NULL pointer dereference occurs in AP4_File::ParseStream in Core/Ap4File.cpp, which is called from AP4_File::AP4_File.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41841 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the Bento4 multimedia framework version 1.6.0-639 and earlier. This issue manifests in the AP4_File::ParseStream method located in Core/Ap4File.cpp, which serves as a fundamental component for parsing multimedia files within the Bento4 library. The vulnerability occurs when the library processes malformed or specially crafted multimedia files, leading to a situation where a null pointer is dereferenced during the parsing operation. The flaw is particularly concerning because it originates from the core file parsing functionality that forms the backbone of the library's ability to handle various multimedia formats.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it under CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software systems. This classification indicates that the flaw results from inadequate pointer validation within the codebase, where the application fails to properly check whether a pointer contains a valid memory address before attempting to access the data it references. The attack vector typically involves feeding a maliciously crafted multimedia file to an application that utilizes Bento4 for file processing, which then triggers the vulnerable code path during the AP4_File::ParseStream execution. When this occurs, the application crashes due to the NULL pointer dereference, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or in more sophisticated attack scenarios, arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41841 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it affects any software system that relies on Bento4 for multimedia file handling. This includes content management systems, media processing pipelines, streaming platforms, and various digital asset management solutions that incorporate Bento4 as a core component. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete service disruption, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where continuous availability is critical. Additionally, the flaw's location within the file parsing logic means that it could potentially be leveraged in broader attack chains, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the affected systems process untrusted multimedia content from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Bento4 installations to version 1.6.0-640 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to prevent the NULL pointer dereference condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures to sanitize all multimedia files processed through systems utilizing Bento4, particularly those that handle user-uploaded content or external media sources. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be triggered by seemingly benign multimedia files. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in existing functionality while maintaining the library's ability to properly handle legitimate multimedia files.