CVE-2023-4758 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
Buffer Over-read in GitHub repository gpac/gpac prior to 2.3-DEV.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2023
The vulnerability under examination involves a buffer over-read condition discovered in the gpac multimedia framework repository prior to version 2.3-DEV. This issue manifests within the handling of multimedia file processing operations where insufficient bounds checking occurs during memory allocation and data manipulation. The flaw exists in the core multimedia processing components that parse and interpret various media formats including mp4, mov, and other container formats commonly used in digital content delivery. Such buffer over-read conditions typically arise when applications read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or causing application instability. The vulnerability affects the general-purpose multimedia processing library that serves as a foundation for various multimedia applications and streaming services relying on the gpac framework for content handling.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the parsing of multimedia container files where the application fails to properly validate the size parameters of data structures before attempting to read from memory regions. Specifically, when processing mp4 or mov container formats, the parser reads metadata fields that specify the size of subsequent data blocks without adequate validation of these values against the actual available buffer space. This allows an attacker to craft malicious media files with oversized metadata fields that cause the application to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where applications access memory locations outside the intended buffer limits. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the multimedia parsing logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and threat scenarios within the multimedia processing ecosystem. An attacker could potentially exploit this condition by delivering maliciously crafted media files to systems running vulnerable versions of gpac, leading to information disclosure through memory dumps or application crashes that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize gpac for media processing including streaming servers, content delivery networks, and multimedia applications that rely on the framework for format conversion and playback operations. This creates a significant risk for organizations deploying gpac-based solutions in production environments where untrusted media content is processed. The attack surface includes web applications that accept user-uploaded media files, content management systems, and streaming platforms that may inadvertently expose this vulnerability to remote attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this buffer over-read vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 2.3-DEV or later releases where the issue has been resolved through proper bounds checking implementations. Organizations should implement input validation measures that enforce strict size limitations on multimedia metadata fields and employ defensive programming practices such as using safe string and memory manipulation functions. The implementation of address sanitizer tools and memory debugging utilities can help detect similar issues during development and testing phases. Additionally, network segmentation and content filtering mechanisms should be deployed to prevent unauthorized media file uploads and to validate all incoming multimedia content against known good patterns. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution which involves using vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through client applications, and T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, which may be used in post-exploitation activities to maintain access or escalate privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify outdated gpac installations and monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific buffer over-read condition.