CVE-2023-37327 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2024
GStreamer FLAC File Parsing Integer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GStreamer. Interaction with this library is required to exploit this vulnerability but attack vectors may vary depending on the implementation.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of FLAC audio files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-20775.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The CVE-2023-37327 vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the GStreamer multimedia framework's FLAC audio file parser, classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound condition. This vulnerability resides in the core audio processing pipeline where the library fails to properly validate the size parameters of user-supplied FLAC metadata, specifically when parsing the frame header information that dictates buffer allocation sizes. The flaw manifests during the decoding process when the parser encounters malformed or maliciously crafted FLAC files that contain oversized frame size indicators, causing arithmetic operations to wrap around and produce unexpectedly small buffer sizes that subsequently lead to memory corruption.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote code execution through a crafted FLAC file that triggers the integer overflow condition during buffer allocation. The technical mechanism involves the multiplication of frame sample count with channel count and bits per sample, resulting in a value that exceeds the maximum representable integer, thereby causing the overflow to occur before any buffer allocation takes place. This condition creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the frame size parameters to force the allocation of insufficient memory, followed by subsequent memory writes that overwrite adjacent memory regions, enabling arbitrary code execution in the context of the running GStreamer process. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it operates within the multimedia processing stack that applications frequently utilize for audio playback, making it accessible through multiple attack vectors including web browsers, media players, and streaming applications that rely on GStreamer for audio processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous applications and systems that depend on GStreamer for audio handling, including but not limited to web browsers, media players, streaming services, and embedded multimedia applications. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that GStreamer is a foundational component in many Linux distributions, mobile operating systems, and multimedia frameworks, meaning that exploitation could potentially affect millions of endpoints. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the initial access and execution phases, specifically targeting the use of malicious files for code execution. The integer overflow condition creates a memory corruption vulnerability that can be leveraged to bypass modern security mitigations such as stack canaries, ASLR, and DEP, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction beyond the mere presentation of a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in automated exploitation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-37327 should prioritize immediate patch application from the GStreamer project, as the vulnerability is fully addressed through version updates that include proper input validation and overflow checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network-based restrictions to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious FLAC files through web applications, email attachments, and file sharing systems, while also deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media files. The implementation of memory protection mechanisms such as stack smashing protection and address space layout randomization should be enforced across all systems running GStreamer components, alongside regular security audits of multimedia processing pipelines. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious file transfer patterns involving audio files, and system administrators should establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. The vulnerability's resolution requires careful attention to the specific buffer allocation logic within the FLAC parser, ensuring that all arithmetic operations are properly bounded and validated before any memory allocation occurs, thereby preventing the integer overflow condition that enables remote code execution.