CVE-2026-52295 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE • 09/01/2026
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Ffmpeg v.7.0 and after allows an attacker to cause a denial of service via the libavformat/iamf_writer.c component
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework, specifically affecting versions 7.0 and subsequent releases through its IAMF writer module located in the libavformat/iamf_writer.c source file. This vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow condition, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software defects in systems programming. The root cause typically involves improper bounds checking when handling input data or internal buffers during the processing of Interactive Audio Model Format files. When FFmpeg attempts to write IAMF metadata or audio streams, it may allocate memory based on expected sizes that do not align with actual incoming data lengths, leading to writes beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This misalignment allows an attacker who can supply a specially crafted input file to overwrite adjacent memory locations, corrupting critical program state information such as return addresses, function pointers, or heap metadata structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability primarily facilitates denial of service attacks against systems relying on FFmpeg for media processing pipelines. By triggering the buffer overflow condition, an attacker can cause immediate application crashes, segmentation faults, or infinite loops within the encoding or writing process. In environments where FFmpeg is deployed as a background service, such as video streaming platforms, live broadcast encoders, or automated content ingestion systems, these crashes result in significant downtime and interruption of media delivery services. While buffer overflows can sometimes lead to arbitrary code execution if specific exploitation techniques are employed, the primary observed impact for this particular flaw centers on stability degradation and resource exhaustion. The lack of robust input validation means that malformed IAMF files or manipulated metadata fields can consistently trigger these failure states without requiring complex payload construction beyond size manipulation.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-120, which describes buffer copy without checking size limits, a fundamental error in memory management. It also relates to CWE-787, indicating out-of-bounds write operations that compromise data integrity and program control flow. In the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw supports techniques associated with Initial Access via crafted files or Execution through denial of service impacts on availability metrics. Attackers can leverage this weakness as part of a broader campaign to disrupt services or potentially probe for further vulnerabilities if the overflow allows partial memory disclosure that aids in bypassing security mitigations like Address Space Layout Randomization.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching by upgrading FFmpeg to versions where the libavformat/iamf_writer.c component has been updated with rigorous input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Developers integrating FFmpeg into their applications must ensure they are using supported releases that address known memory safety issues in media parsing libraries. For organizations unable to upgrade immediately, implementing strict file type verification at ingress points can help filter out malicious IAMF files before they reach the vulnerable component. Additionally, deploying runtime application self-protection tools or utilizing compiler-based protections such as stack protectors and Address Sanitizers during build processes can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation by detecting memory corruption events early in execution. Regular security audits focusing on media processing libraries are essential to maintain resilience against evolving threats targeting multimedia frameworks.