CVE-2023-0818 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2023
Off-by-one Error in GitHub repository gpac/gpac prior to v2.3.0-DEV.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0818 represents an off-by-one error within the gpac multimedia framework repository maintained by GitHub. This type of flaw occurs when a program processes one element too many or too few in a sequence, leading to potential memory access violations or buffer overflows. The issue specifically affects versions prior to v2.3.0-DEV of the gpac library, indicating that developers who have not updated their installations remain exposed to this risk. Such errors typically arise from improper boundary condition handling in loop constructs or array indexing operations where the logic fails to account for the exact boundaries of data structures.
The technical implementation of this off-by-one error within gpac likely manifests during multimedia processing operations where the software handles packet data or buffer management. When processing multimedia streams, the library may iterate through data segments using incorrect boundary conditions that cause it to access memory locations beyond intended limits. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which directly relates to buffer overflows occurring from inadequate input validation. The flaw could potentially allow attackers to manipulate memory access patterns and cause unexpected program behavior, including crashes or potentially more severe outcomes depending on how the affected code paths are executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various multimedia applications that depend on gpac for video and audio processing capabilities. Systems utilizing this library for content delivery, media streaming, or playback may become susceptible to denial of service attacks or, in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution if the memory corruption leads to exploitable conditions. The vulnerability affects not only direct users of the gpac library but also applications built on top of it, creating a cascading risk across the multimedia processing ecosystem. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw by crafting malicious multimedia files that trigger the off-by-one condition during parsing or processing phases, leading to system instability or unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0818 primarily focus on immediate version updates to gpac v2.3.0-DEV or later releases where the off-by-one error has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing gpac components receive the necessary updates. Additionally, runtime monitoring and input validation should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting file type processing to minimize exposure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such vulnerabilities under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage these memory corruption issues to execute malicious code within affected systems. Organizations should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on array boundary conditions and loop termination logic to prevent similar issues in custom implementations that interface with gpac or similar multimedia libraries.