CVE-2022-3663: Axiomatic Bento4 AP4_StsdAtom Null Pointer Dereference Vulnerability

A security vulnerability (CVE-2022-3663) has been discovered in Axiomatic Bento4, a popular open-source library used for reading, writing, and processing MP4 and ISOBMFF files. The vulnerability affects the AP4_StsdAtom function in the component MP4fragment and has been rated problematic. This vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the function, leading to null pointer dereference, which is a common programming error that can cause a crash or unexpected behavior in applications using the Bento4 library. The attack can be initiated remotely, and since the exploit details have been disclosed to the public, it poses a significant risk as threat actors could use it for malicious purposes. The associated identifier for this vulnerability is VDB-212003.

Code Snippet

The vulnerability resides in the Ap4StsdAtom.cpp file, specifically in the AP4_StsdAtom function. Here is a code snippet highlighting the affected function:

AP4_Result
AP4_StsdAtom::ReadFields(AP4_ByteStream& stream)
{
    AP4_UI32 entry_count;
    AP4_Result result;

    // read the sample descriptions
    result = ReadSampleDescriptions(stream, entry_count);
    if (AP4_FAILED(result)) return result;

    // process the sample descriptions
    for (unsigned int i = ; i < entry_count; i++) {
        // ...
    }

    return AP4_SUCCESS;
}

Original References

1. CVE-2022-3663 vulnerability details
2. Axiomatic Systems Bento4 GitHub repository
3. Vulnerability Database ID - VDB-212003

Exploit Details

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker who has the ability to modify the input file processed by the AP4_StsdAtom function of the Bento4 library. By manipulating the file structure, the attacker can cause a null pointer dereference, leading to a crash or unexpected behavior. This can have significant consequences when Bento4 is used in a larger application or service that relies on the library to process MP4 files.

As the exploit is now public knowledge, it is crucial for developers using the Bento4 library to apply a patch or take necessary actions to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2022-3663. It is important to monitor and implement security updates provided by the Axiomatic Systems team to ensure that your applications and services are protected from this and future vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

This CVE-2022-3663 vulnerability in Axiomatic Bento4 showcases the importance of secure coding practices in the development of open-source libraries. Developers should be mindful of such vulnerabilities when using third-party libraries in their applications, keeping an eye out for updates and security patches. By staying vigilant and keeping software up-to-date, the risks associated with null pointer dereferences and other potentially harmful exploits can be minimized.

Timeline

Published on: 10/26/2022 19:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/28/2022 17:29:00 UTC