CVE-2024-24266 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2024
gpac v2.2.1 was discovered to contain a Use-After-Free (UAF) vulnerability via the dasher_configure_pid function at /src/filters/dasher.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24266 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the gpac media processing library version 2.2.1. This flaw exists in the dasher_configure_pid function located in the /src/filters/dasher.c source file, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on this library for digital media processing and streaming operations. The gpac library serves as a comprehensive multimedia framework used in various applications including content delivery networks, media servers, and digital broadcasting systems. The presence of this vulnerability in such a widely-used component creates substantial risk across multiple industry sectors including telecommunications, media production, and content distribution platforms.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the dasher_configure_pid function where memory allocated for processing media streams may be freed while still being referenced or accessed by subsequent operations. This condition typically occurs when the program deallocates memory but continues to maintain pointers to that memory location, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the dangling pointer. The vulnerability manifests during the configuration phase of dasher processes, suggesting that the flaw is triggered when the system attempts to set up or modify media stream parameters for dash streaming protocols. Such a flaw falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses Use-After-Free conditions, and represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or memory corruption, as it provides potential attackers with pathways to execute malicious code within the context of applications using the gpac library. Systems utilizing dash streaming functionality, particularly those in broadcast environments or content delivery networks, face elevated risk of compromise. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to media processing servers, disrupt content delivery services, or even establish persistent backdoors within network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the widespread adoption of gpac across various media processing applications, meaning that a single exploitation could affect multiple systems simultaneously. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24266 should prioritize immediate patching of affected gpac installations to version 2.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or unexpected system behavior in media processing environments. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced around systems utilizing gpac, particularly those handling sensitive media content or serving critical streaming services. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated gpac installations, and system administrators should establish automated alerting for any signs of memory corruption or unauthorized access attempts in media processing environments. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in multimedia processing libraries and the potential for seemingly isolated memory issues to create widespread security implications across interconnected systems.