CVE-2024-47596 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
GStreamer is a library for constructing graphs of media-handling components. An OOB-read has been discovered in the qtdemux_parse_svq3_stsd_data function within qtdemux.c. In the FOURCC_SMI_ case, seqh_size is read from the input file without proper validation. If seqh_size is greater than the remaining size of the data buffer, it can lead to an OOB-read in the following call to gst_buffer_fill, which internally uses memcpy. This vulnerability can result in reading up to 4GB of process memory or potentially causing a segmentation fault (SEGV) when accessing invalid memory. 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-2024-47596 affects GStreamer, a comprehensive multimedia framework that enables the construction of media processing graphs through interconnected components. This library serves as a foundational element in numerous multimedia applications across various operating systems and platforms, making it a critical component in digital media handling infrastructure. The flaw manifests within the qtdemux plugin, specifically in the qtdemux_parse_svq3_stsd_data function located in qtdemux.c, which processes QuickTime media files and handles various codec specifications including the SVQ3 format. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify buffer boundaries before memory operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific code path where the FOURCC_SMI_ case is processed, leading to a critical out-of-bounds read condition. When seqh_size is extracted from the input file without sufficient validation, the system proceeds to execute a gst_buffer_fill operation that internally relies on memcpy for memory copying. This operation becomes problematic when seqh_size exceeds the available buffer space, as it triggers an out-of-bounds memory read that can span up to 4 gigabytes of process memory. The underlying issue aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length fields, and represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that can be exploited to access unauthorized memory regions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it can potentially enable arbitrary code execution through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations, as it creates opportunities for both information disclosure and system instability. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially read sensitive process memory, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application data that may be stored in adjacent memory regions. The segmentation fault (SEGV) condition that may occur during invalid memory access represents a denial-of-service scenario that could crash multimedia applications or the entire system. Additionally, the large memory read capability provides attackers with substantial amounts of data that could reveal system configuration details, application state information, or other sensitive data. The vulnerability affects applications that utilize GStreamer's qtdemux plugin for processing QuickTime media files, including media players, streaming applications, and multimedia frameworks that depend on this library for content handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-47596 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.24.10, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where multimedia content processing occurs with untrusted input sources. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls that enforce strict boundary checking for all media file parsing operations, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of multimedia processing systems, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous memory access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media processing applications to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the core issue by introducing proper validation of seqh_size against available buffer boundaries before proceeding with memory operations, thereby preventing the out-of-bounds read condition that previously enabled unauthorized memory access and system instability.