CVE-2026-112280 in aribb24
Summary
by MITRE • 10/19/2026
libaribb24 (aribb24) through 1.0.3 contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in src/parser.c that allows attackers to corrupt heap memory via an oversized caption data unit. Attackers can supply a crafted caption PES packet in a media file or broadcast stream, processed through arib_parse_pes(), to crash FFmpeg or VLC and possibly corrupt further memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2026
The vulnerability identified within libaribb24 versions up to 1.0.3 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow located specifically in the source code file parser.c. This flaw arises from insufficient validation of input data lengths during the parsing process, allowing an attacker to supply caption data units that exceed the allocated memory boundaries for internal buffers. When such oversized caption data is processed through the arib_parse_pes function, which handles Presentation Elementary Stream packets containing ARIB STD-B24 captions, the application fails to properly check buffer limits before copying or writing data. This lack of bounds checking results in writes beyond the end of the heap-allocated memory region, leading to immediate corruption of adjacent heap metadata and potentially other allocated objects within the same memory pool.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-122, which denotes a heap-based buffer overflow. The exploitation vector involves crafting malicious media files or intercepting broadcast streams that contain specially constructed PES packets with oversized caption payloads. When applications such as FFmpeg or VLC ingest these malformed inputs, the parser attempts to process the excessive data without adequate safeguards. This action triggers memory corruption on the heap, which can destabilize the application's internal state and lead to crashes. In more sophisticated attack scenarios, an attacker could leverage this memory corruption to execute arbitrary code by overwriting function pointers or other control structures within the heap, thereby achieving remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the media player.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for users relying on FFmpeg and VLC for processing ARIB captioned content. Immediate consequences include application instability and denial of service through segmentation faults when encountering crafted inputs. However, the risk extends far beyond simple crashes due to the nature of heap overflows. An attacker who can control the data written into the overflow region may manipulate memory layout or overwrite critical pointers, potentially leading to full system compromise if the media player is executed with elevated privileges. This poses a substantial threat in environments where users frequently open untrusted video files or consume broadcast streams from unverified sources, as it allows for remote exploitation without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching and defensive coding practices. The primary remediation is to upgrade libaribb24 to a version greater than 1.0.3 where this heap overflow has been addressed by implementing strict length checks before processing caption data units. Developers integrating this library should ensure that all input sizes are validated against buffer capacities prior to any memory operations. Additionally, security teams should employ runtime protection mechanisms such as Address Space Layout Randomization and Heap Protection features available in modern operating systems to mitigate the likelihood of successful exploitation even if vulnerable versions remain temporarily in use. Regular auditing of parser logic for bounds checking is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future updates.
This vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, as attackers can deliver malicious media files via phishing or compromised websites to trigger the overflow when opened by a victim. It also relates to CWE-787, an out-of-bounds write on heap memory, emphasizing the importance of rigorous input validation in multimedia processing libraries that handle complex binary formats like PES streams. Ensuring compliance with secure coding standards and conducting thorough fuzz testing against parser components can significantly reduce the attack surface for such high-severity flaws.