CVE-2022-43253 in Libde265
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2022
Libde265 v1.0.8 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability via put_unweighted_pred_16_fallback in fallback-motion.cc. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted video file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-43253 affects Libde265 version 1.0.8, a widely used open source library for decoding h.265/HEVC video streams. This library serves as a critical component in numerous multimedia applications, video players, and content delivery systems across various operating systems and platforms. The flaw manifests as a heap-buffer-overflow condition that occurs within the put_unweighted_pred_16_fallback function located in the fallback-motion.cc source file. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in multimedia processing libraries as they can be triggered through malformed input files that exploit memory access violations during video decoding operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the video decoding pipeline. When processing crafted video files containing maliciously constructed h.265 streams, the put_unweighted_pred_16_fallback function fails to validate buffer boundaries before writing data to heap-allocated memory regions. This allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory space, potentially corrupting adjacent memory segments and causing unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability specifically impacts the motion compensation fallback mechanism that handles certain decoding scenarios where standard processing paths fail. According to CWE classification, this represents a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-119) with direct impact on memory safety and program stability. The issue falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted media files.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-43253 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can be leveraged to disrupt critical multimedia applications and services. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to crash applications that utilize Libde265 for video processing, potentially affecting video streaming platforms, media players, content management systems, and digital signage solutions. The remote exploitation potential makes this particularly concerning for web-based applications that process user-uploaded video content. System administrators and developers face the challenge of identifying vulnerable applications that depend on this library, as the DoS condition can be triggered through simple file delivery without requiring complex attack vectors. The vulnerability's severity classification aligns with CVSS score indicators reflecting high risk due to the potential for widespread service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-43253 should prioritize immediate library updates to version 1.0.9 or later, which contain patches addressing the heap-buffer-overflow condition. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all applications and systems utilizing Libde265, particularly those handling untrusted video content. Input validation mechanisms should be enhanced to reject malformed video files before processing, implementing strict file format verification and size limitations. Network-based defenses can include content filtering solutions that scan video files for suspicious patterns, though this approach may introduce performance overhead. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual application crash patterns or memory allocation errors that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, developers should implement proper memory safety practices including bounds checking, use of safe string handling functions, and regular security code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia libraries and implementing robust input sanitization in applications processing multimedia content.