FFmpeg up to 9.0.2 NVDEC libavcodec/nvdec.c ff_nvdec_start_frame bitstream use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in FFmpeg up to 9.0.2. This vulnerability affects the function ff_nvdec_start_frame of the file libavcodec/nvdec.c of the component NVDEC. The manipulation of the argument bitstream results in use after free. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-125265. The attack is only possible with local access. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in FFmpeg up to 9.0.2. Affected is the function ff_nvdec_start_frame of the file libavcodec/nvdec.c of the component NVDEC. The manipulation of the argument bitstream with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

FFmpeg through 9.0.2 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in libavcodec/nvdec.c because ff_nvdec_start_frame() fails to reset ctx->bitstream after slice errors. Attackers can supply crafted video that abandons a picture before end_frame, causing cuvidDecodePicture() to read freed heap memory, crashing applications or exposing stale heap contents.

The advisory is available at code.ffmpeg.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-125265 since 11/09/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 11/09/2026).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

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Productinfo

Type

• Multimedia Processing Software

Name

• FFmpeg

Version

• 9.0.0
• 9.0.1
• 9.0.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://ffmpeg.org/

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