CVE-2024-47545 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
GStreamer is a library for constructing graphs of media-handling components. An integer underflow has been detected in qtdemux_parse_trak function within qtdemux.c. During the strf parsing case, the subtraction size -= 40 can lead to a negative integer overflow if it is less than 40. If this happens, the subsequent call to gst_buffer_fill will invoke memcpy with a large tocopy size, resulting in an OOB-read. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.24.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-47545 resides within the GStreamer multimedia framework, specifically in the qtdemux element responsible for parsing QuickTime and MP4 media files. This issue manifests as an integer underflow condition that occurs during the processing of movie track data structures. The flaw is particularly concerning as it represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise when processing maliciously crafted media files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability is found in the qtdemux_parse_trak function within the qtdemux.c source file where the code performs a subtraction operation size -= 40 during the strf parsing case. When the size variable contains a value less than 40, this arithmetic operation results in an integer underflow that produces a very large positive integer due to the unsigned nature of the variable. This corrupted size value subsequently gets passed to the gst_buffer_fill function which invokes memcpy with an excessively large tocopy parameter, creating a scenario for out-of-bounds memory read conditions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflow conditions, and represents a critical weakness in the memory management practices of the GStreamer library. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could be exploited through malicious file delivery techniques, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through normal media file processing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently process multimedia content from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-47545 extends beyond simple buffer overflows as it can affect any application or system utilizing GStreamer for media processing, including web browsers, media players, and content management systems. The vulnerability's exploitation path demonstrates a clear progression from integer underflow to out-of-bounds read, which can potentially leak sensitive memory contents or enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations using affected GStreamer versions should immediately implement patch management procedures, as the vulnerability has been addressed in release 1.24.10. System administrators should prioritize updating their GStreamer installations and consider implementing additional security controls such as media file validation and sandboxing mechanisms to mitigate potential exploitation attempts.
Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices within the media parsing code, where proper bounds checking is missing for size calculations during media file processing. The fix implemented in version 1.24.10 includes proper integer overflow detection and size validation before memory operations, addressing the root cause of the vulnerability. This represents a typical remediation approach that emphasizes defensive programming practices and robust error handling in multimedia processing libraries. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify systems running vulnerable GStreamer versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.