CVE-2024-49552 in Media Encoder
Summary
by MITRE • 12/10/2024
Media Encoder versions 25.0, 24.6.3 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
This vulnerability exists in Adobe Media Encoder software versions 25.0 and 24.6.3 and earlier, representing a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw that could enable remote code execution under specific conditions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing specially crafted media files, allowing attackers to manipulate heap memory allocation patterns. The flaw specifically manifests when the application attempts to read or write data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack requires user interaction through social engineering or phishing techniques to deliver a malicious file that triggers the vulnerable code path during media file processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the currently logged-in user. This means that any privileges or access rights available to the user could potentially be leveraged by an attacker, including access to local files, network resources, and system capabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a user to open a malicious file, making it susceptible to targeted attacks through email attachments, compromised websites, or malicious software distribution channels. This user interaction requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which involves user execution through malicious files, and demonstrates how attackers might employ social engineering to overcome the requirement for direct system compromise. The heap overflow condition creates a predictable pattern of memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical control structures within the application's memory space.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Media Encoder installations to version 25.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent heap buffer overflows. Organizations should implement comprehensive software update management policies that ensure all media processing applications remain current with security patches. Network-based defenses including email filtering, web proxies, and file content inspection systems can help prevent the delivery of malicious files to users. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting controls and restricting user privileges on systems that process media files can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow also necessitates runtime protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization, data execution prevention, and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for media processing applications to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.