A recently discovered vulnerability, CVE-2022-3668, impacts the popular Axiomatic Bento4 software, a multi-platform toolkit for processing and parsing MPEG-DASH and MP4 files. This vulnerability is rated as problematic, primarily disrupting the functionality of the mp4edit component's AP4_AtomFactory::CreateAtomFromStream function. An attacker can exploit this issue remotely, leading to memory leaks and potential for further damage. This article will delve into the technical details of this vulnerability, provide a code snippet demonstrating the problem, and discuss the potential exploitation of the issue.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability, reported under the identifier VDB-212008, affects Bento4's mp4edit component. Specifically, the issue resides within the AP4_AtomFactory::CreateAtomFromStream function. The function is responsible for parsing MP4 files, enabling an attacker to manipulate it to introduce memory leaks.

A memory leak in a software application occurs when memory that has been allocated to the program is not released when it should be. Over time, this inefficient use of memory resources can slow down the system, causing the application to consume more memory while processing increasingly large MP4 file streams.

Unfortunately, the vulnerability has been disclosed to the public, increasing the likelihood that cybercriminals may attempt to exploit it.

Code Snippet

To better understand the vulnerability, consider the following code snippet from the Bento4 source, focusing on the AP4_AtomFactory::CreateAtomFromStream function:

AP4_Result AP4_AtomFactory::CreateAtomFromStream(AP4_ByteStream& stream, AP4_UI64 position, AP4_Size size, AP4_UI32 type, AP4_Atom*& atom) {
    // read the type of atom after the 'type' parameter
    AP4_UI32 context;
    stream.ReadUI32(context);

    // find an appropriate atom factory...
    AP4_AtomFactory* factory = NULL;
    if (m_Factories.ItemCount() > ) {
        ...
    }
    ...
}

This function reads the atom type after the 'type' parameter and selects the relevant atom factory. It is within this process that the attacker can manipulate the data input, leading to memory leaks.

Exploit Details

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker can craft a malicious MPEG-DASH or MP4 file containing specific data to trigger the memory leak. The attacker can then distribute the malicious file to potential victims by embedding it in a website or sending it via email.

If a user opens the malicious file using the vulnerable Bento4 software, their system may suffer from memory leaks, leading to increased resource consumption and possible crashes. Since the vulnerability enables remote exploitation by simply using a malicious file, this issue poses a significant risk to users.

Original References

CVE-2022-3668 is documented in various security databases and sources, providing more in-depth technical details and tracking of the vulnerability.

1. National Vulnerability Database (NVD): https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3668
2. VulDB: https://vuldb.com/?id.212008
3. Bento4 GitHub Repository: https://github.com/axiomatic-systems/Bento4

Conclusion

CVE-2022-3668 is a troublesome vulnerability affecting Axiomatic Bento4's mp4edit component, causing memory leaks and potential further complications. Users and developers relying on the Bento4 software must apply patches and updates to protect themselves from possible exploitation. Staying informed about the latest security vulnerabilities in the software we use is crucial in maintaining a secure environment and reducing exposure to cyber threats.

Timeline

Published on: 10/26/2022 19:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/28/2022 15:21:00 UTC