CVE-2023-40475 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
GStreamer MXF 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 MXF video 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-21661.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The CVE-2023-40475 vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow flaw in the GStreamer multimedia framework's handling of MXF (Material eXchange Format) video files. This vulnerability resides within the media processing pipeline where GStreamer parses MXF container files, which are commonly used in professional video production and broadcast environments. The flaw manifests when the library processes malformed MXF files that contain specially crafted integer values in their metadata structures. According to CWE-190, this vulnerability directly maps to integer overflow conditions where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause arithmetic operations to wrap around, resulting in unexpected buffer allocation sizes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because MXF files are widely used in enterprise and broadcast environments where GStreamer is often integrated into video processing workflows, making it a prime target for remote exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the buffer allocation phase of MXF file parsing. When GStreamer encounters certain MXF file structures, it performs arithmetic operations on user-supplied integer values without proper validation or overflow checking. This allows an attacker to craft MXF files with maliciously large integer values that, when processed, cause the integer overflow to result in a significantly smaller buffer allocation than required. The underlying issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the MXF parser, which fails to properly sanitize or verify the legitimacy of integer values extracted from the file headers and metadata sections. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through manipulation of legitimate file processing functions. This integer overflow creates a classic heap-based buffer overflow condition where the subsequent memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the GStreamer process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass broader system compromise within environments that utilize GStreamer for video processing. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through various attack vectors including web applications that process user-uploaded MXF files, email attachments, or streaming media services that rely on GStreamer for content delivery. The vulnerability affects any system where GStreamer is installed and configured to parse MXF files, which includes broadcast systems, content management platforms, and video editing applications. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require local access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in cloud environments or systems exposed to untrusted networks. Organizations using GStreamer in production environments face significant risk as this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain persistent access, escalate privileges, or establish backdoors within their video processing infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that MXF files are often processed automatically without user intervention, making automated exploitation possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-40475 should focus on immediate patching of affected GStreamer versions while implementing additional defensive measures. Organizations should prioritize updating their GStreamer installations to versions that include the integer overflow fixes, typically released as part of the 1.22.1 or later releases. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems that process MXF files, particularly those accessible from untrusted networks. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including file format validation, size checking, and content sanitization before MXF files are processed by GStreamer components. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation can limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect anomalous file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify systems running vulnerable versions of GStreamer and track remediation progress. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer arithmetic validation in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file parsing components in multimedia frameworks.