CVE-2023-37328 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2024
GStreamer PGS File Parsing Heap-based Buffer 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 PGS subtitle files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. . Was ZDI-CAN-20994.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The CVE-2023-37328 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the GStreamer multimedia framework's handling of PGS (Presentation Graphics Subtitle) files. This vulnerability resides within the subtitle parsing component of GStreamer, which is widely used across various operating systems and applications for multimedia processing. The flaw manifests when the library processes malformed PGS files that contain oversized or improperly formatted data structures, creating a condition where user-supplied input exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability has been assigned to the ZDI-CAN-20994 tracking number, indicating its recognition within the cybersecurity community as a significant threat requiring immediate attention.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during the parsing of PGS subtitle files within the GStreamer pipeline. When processing these subtitle formats, the library fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied data before performing memory copy operations into heap-based buffers. This absence of proper bounds checking creates a predictable buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by attackers who craft malicious PGS files. The vulnerability specifically affects the heap memory management within GStreamer's subtitle processing modules, making it particularly dangerous as heap-based overflows often lead to arbitrary code execution. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-37328 extends across numerous platforms and applications that rely on GStreamer for multimedia processing, including desktop environments, media players, and streaming applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely by delivering malicious PGS subtitle files through various attack vectors such as web-based media streams, email attachments, or compromised websites. The attack requires interaction with the vulnerable GStreamer library, which means the target system must be running software that utilizes this multimedia framework. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where GStreamer is used for processing user-provided multimedia content, making it a significant threat to media servers, content delivery networks, and any application handling untrusted media files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-37328 should focus on immediate patching of affected GStreamer installations, as vendors have released updates addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent unauthorized PGS files from reaching vulnerable systems, particularly in environments where users can upload or download media content. The implementation of strict input validation and sandboxing mechanisms around multimedia processing components can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the vulnerability may be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based delivery methods. This vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) when successfully exploited, making comprehensive monitoring and response procedures essential for organizations using affected GStreamer versions.