CVE-2023-33716 in mp4v2
Summary
by MITRE • 06/01/2023
mp4v2 v2.1.3 was discovered to contain a memory leak via the class MP4StringProperty at mp4property.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33716 affects the mp4v2 library version 2.1.3, specifically within the MP4StringProperty class implementation in the mp4property.cpp file. This memory leak represents a critical security concern that can lead to resource exhaustion and system instability when processing multimedia files. The mp4v2 library is widely used for reading and writing mp4 container format files, making this vulnerability impactful across numerous applications and systems that depend on proper media file handling. The flaw manifests when the library processes MP4 files containing specific string properties, causing the application to allocate memory without proper subsequent deallocation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the MP4StringProperty class, which is responsible for handling string data within mp4 file structures. When the library encounters certain malformed or specially crafted mp4 files, the memory allocated for string properties fails to be properly released, creating a memory leak that accumulates over time. This behavior aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes memory leaks as a common weakness in software design where allocated memory is not properly deallocated. The leak occurs during the processing of string properties within the mp4 container format, where the class fails to implement proper cleanup mechanisms for dynamically allocated memory blocks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, potentially enabling denial of service attacks against systems that rely on mp4v2 for media processing. An attacker could craft malicious mp4 files designed to trigger the memory leak repeatedly, causing applications using the library to consume increasing amounts of memory until system resources are exhausted. This scenario represents a classic application-level denial of service condition that can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. The vulnerability affects any software that utilizes mp4v2 version 2.1.3, including media players, transcoding applications, and content management systems that process mp4 files. The memory leak behavior can be particularly problematic in server environments where multiple concurrent file processing operations occur, as the cumulative effect of memory leaks can quickly degrade system performance or cause application crashes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-33716 primarily focus on immediate library updates to versions that address the memory leak issue. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to mp4v2 versions that contain fixed implementations of the MP4StringProperty class, ensuring that proper memory deallocation mechanisms are in place. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can help reduce the risk of exploitation by filtering out malformed mp4 files before they reach the vulnerable library components. System administrators should monitor memory usage patterns in applications that utilize mp4v2 to detect potential exploitation attempts, as unusual memory consumption spikes can indicate active exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1499.004, which addresses network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity teams responsible for protecting multimedia processing environments. Organizations should also consider implementing memory monitoring tools and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle memory leak exploitation scenarios.