CVE-2025-25946 in Bento4
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
An issue in Bento4 v1.6.0-641 allows an attacker to cause a memory leak via Ap4Marlin.cpp and Ap4Processor.cpp, specifically in AP4_MarlinIpmpEncryptingProcessor::Initialize and AP4_Processor::Process, during the execution of mp4encrypt with a specially crafted MP4 input file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25946 represents a memory leak flaw within the Bento4 library version 1.6.0-641 that specifically affects the mp4encrypt utility. This issue stems from improper memory management within the Ap4Marlin.cpp and Ap4Processor.cpp source files, creating a persistent resource exhaustion condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests during the processing of MP4 files through the mp4encrypt command-line tool, making it particularly concerning for environments where automated media processing occurs.
The technical root cause of this memory leak resides in the AP4_MarlinIpmpEncryptingProcessor::Initialize and AP4_Processor::Process functions, where memory allocations occur without corresponding deallocations or proper error handling mechanisms. When a specially crafted MP4 input file is processed, the encryption routine fails to properly release allocated memory blocks, leading to gradual memory consumption that can eventually exhaust available system resources. This memory leak pattern aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory after use, and represents a classic example of resource management failure in multimedia processing libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it creates potential denial of service conditions that can affect media processing pipelines, content delivery networks, and automated workflow systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious MP4 files to systems running mp4encrypt, causing progressive memory consumption that may lead to system instability or complete service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in high-volume processing environments where multiple files are processed sequentially, as the memory leak compounds over time. This scenario directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers resource exhaustion attacks targeting memory resources, and can also be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting media processing infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-25946 should prioritize immediate patching of the Bento4 library to version 1.6.0-642 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize MP4 files before processing, including size limitations and format verification to prevent exploitation. Additionally, monitoring systems should be deployed to detect abnormal memory usage patterns during mp4encrypt operations, enabling early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems running mp4encrypt to untrusted inputs, while regular security audits should verify proper memory management practices in all multimedia processing components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing robust memory leak detection tools and continuous integration security testing for multimedia libraries to prevent similar issues in future releases.