CVE-2023-29341 in AV1 Video Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
AV1 Video Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2025
The CVE-2023-29341 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the AV1 Video Extension component, which serves as a foundational element for video processing and decoding in modern software ecosystems. This vulnerability specifically affects implementations that utilize the AV1 video codec extension, which has gained significant traction due to its advanced compression capabilities and widespread adoption across various platforms including web browsers, media players, and streaming applications. The flaw exists within the parsing and handling mechanisms of AV1 video extensions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through carefully crafted video content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the AV1 extension parser. When processing maliciously formatted AV1 video data, the extension fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocations, leading to potential heap-based buffer overflows or stack corruption scenarios. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical program execution pointers or inject malicious code into the target process memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because AV1 extensions are commonly used in web browsers and media frameworks where user interaction with multimedia content is routine, making exploitation scenarios highly probable through simple web page visits or media file playback.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-29341 extends beyond individual system compromise to encompass broader security implications for entire software ecosystems that depend on AV1 video processing capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to achieve full system compromise without requiring user interaction beyond normal media consumption activities, as the exploitation occurs during the automatic parsing of video content. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries gain access to systems through legitimate programs, and maps to CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects multiple software implementations including browser engines, media frameworks, and content delivery systems that incorporate AV1 video extension support.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software components and implementation of defensive measures to reduce attack surface. Organizations should prioritize updating all systems that utilize AV1 video extensions, particularly web browsers, media players, and streaming platforms that may be exposed to malicious video content. Additional protective measures include implementing strict content filtering mechanisms, disabling automatic media playback for untrusted sources, and deploying sandboxing techniques to isolate video processing components from critical system resources. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous video processing patterns and unusual memory allocation behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding and the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks for web applications.