CVE-2022-47653 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/05/2023
GPAC MP4box 2.1-DEV-rev593-g007bf61a0 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow in eac3_update_channels function of media_tools/av_parsers.c:9113
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-47653 affects GPAC MP4box version 2.1-DEV-rev593-g007bf61a0 and represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the eac3_update_channels function located in the media_tools/av_parsers.c source file at line 9113. This flaw exists in the handling of audio stream parsing operations where the application fails to properly validate input data before processing it into fixed-size buffers. The buffer overflow occurs when processing E-AC3 (Enhanced Audio Coding 3) audio streams, which are commonly used in high-definition video content and broadcast applications. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted audio data to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted E-AC3 audio stream that triggers the buffer overflow condition during media parsing operations. When MP4box processes such malformed input, the eac3_update_channels function attempts to copy data into a buffer without proper validation of the source data length against the destination buffer capacity. This memory corruption can result in stack smashing, heap corruption, or memory overwrite conditions that may be leveraged by adversaries to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where MP4box is used for automated media processing or as part of content delivery systems, as it could enable remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The attack surface extends to any system that processes E-AC3 audio streams through this specific version of GPAC MP4box, including media servers, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-47653 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader security implications within media processing workflows and content delivery networks. Organizations utilizing GPAC MP4box for video encoding, transcoding, or media file manipulation face significant risk exposure, particularly in scenarios involving untrusted media inputs from external sources or user uploads. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as it enables adversaries to execute arbitrary code through media file processing. In addition to potential remote code execution, the buffer overflow can cause application crashes, leading to denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate media processing operations. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in automated processing environments where media files are ingested without manual review, as it allows for silent exploitation that may go undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-47653 should prioritize immediate patching of affected GPAC MP4box installations to version 2.1-DEV-rev594 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize all E-AC3 audio streams before processing, including length checking and format verification to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable function. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems running MP4box to untrusted inputs, particularly in web-facing applications or content upload systems. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual processing patterns or application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts, with logging of all media file processing activities for forensic analysis. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media processing operations and regularly audit their media handling workflows to ensure compliance with secure coding practices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding standards such as those outlined in the CERT Secure Coding Standards and should prompt organizations to conduct comprehensive security assessments of their media processing pipelines to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other components.