CVE-2024-47544 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
GStreamer is a library for constructing graphs of media-handling components. The function qtdemux_parse_sbgp in qtdemux.c is affected by a null dereference vulnerability. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.24.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-47544 affects GStreamer, a comprehensive multimedia framework and library used for constructing media-handling component graphs. This library serves as a foundational element in numerous multimedia applications across various operating systems and platforms, making its security critical for the broader software ecosystem. The issue specifically resides within the qtdemux module, which is responsible for parsing QuickTime and MP4 container formats that are widely used in digital media applications. The qtdemux_parse_sbgp function in qtdemux.c represents a crucial parsing routine that processes sample group information within these container formats, handling metadata that describes how media samples should be grouped for processing.
The technical flaw manifests as a null dereference vulnerability that occurs when the qtdemux_parse_sbgp function attempts to access memory locations without proper validation of pointer values. This type of vulnerability typically arises when code assumes that a pointer will always contain a valid memory address, failing to account for scenarios where the pointer might legitimately be null. When processing malformed or maliciously crafted QuickTime/MP4 files, the function encounters a situation where it attempts to dereference a null pointer, leading to an application crash or potential exploitation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the media parsing logic, particularly in how the function processes the sample group table structure within the container format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it could potentially enable remote code execution or denial of service attacks when GStreamer-based applications process untrusted media files. Attackers could craft specially formatted QuickTime or MP4 files that trigger the null dereference condition, causing applications using GStreamer to crash or potentially allowing for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Given that GStreamer is integrated into numerous multimedia applications, web browsers, media players, and content management systems, the potential attack surface is extensive. The vulnerability affects systems where GStreamer is used to handle media processing, including desktop applications, web-based media players, and server-side applications that process uploaded media content.
Security professionals should prioritize updating affected systems to GStreamer version 1.24.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the null dereference issue. The fix implemented in this release likely includes proper null pointer validation and error handling within the qtdemux_parse_sbgp function, ensuring that all pointer accesses are validated before dereferencing. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input sanitization for media files, sandboxing of media processing operations, and network-based filtering of suspicious media content. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes null pointer dereference conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1203, involving legitimate user execution of malicious content, particularly in scenarios where users process untrusted media files. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated libraries to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in media processing functionality while maintaining the security improvements.