CVE-2024-47602 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
GStreamer is a library for constructing graphs of media-handling components. A null pointer dereference vulnerability has been discovered in the gst_matroska_demux_add_wvpk_header function within matroska-demux.c. This function does not properly check the validity of the stream->codec_priv pointer in the following code. If stream->codec_priv is NULL, the call to GST_READ_UINT16_LE will attempt to dereference a null pointer, leading to a crash of the application. 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-2024-47602 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the GStreamer multimedia framework, specifically affecting the matroska-demux.c component. This issue manifests in the gst_matroska_demux_add_wvpk_header function where the application fails to validate the stream->codec_priv pointer before proceeding with data processing operations. The flaw exists in the media handling pipeline that processes matroska container format files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted media content. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the demultiplexer component responsible for parsing and extracting audio and video streams from matroska containers. When a maliciously crafted matroska file is processed, the application attempts to read from a null pointer location, causing immediate application termination and potential denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, representing a fundamental flaw in memory management and input validation practices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given GStreamer's widespread adoption across various operating systems and applications that depend on multimedia processing capabilities. The issue demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the code assumes pointer validity without proper checks, a common pattern that attackers can exploit to disrupt service availability. The fix implemented in GStreamer version 1.24.10 addresses this by introducing proper null pointer validation before attempting to access the codec_priv structure, ensuring that the application gracefully handles malformed input data rather than crashing. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks through application crashes, as the null pointer dereference directly leads to application termination. The impact extends beyond simple crashes to potentially allow for more sophisticated attacks if the application is part of a larger system where controlled crashes could be used to disrupt service availability or as part of a larger exploitation chain. Organizations using GStreamer in production environments should prioritize immediate patching to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability does not require elevated privileges and can be triggered through normal media playback operations. The flaw underscores the importance of robust input validation in multimedia libraries where malformed content can originate from various sources including user-generated media, network streams, or potentially compromised content delivery networks. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in systems where GStreamer is used for processing untrusted media files, and implement proper network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts.