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CVE-2024-35366: Critical Vulnerability in FFmpeg

A critical integer overflow vulnerability in FFmpeg 6.1.1 allows negative duration values to be accepted without proper validation. Urgent patching is required to mitigate risks.

CRITICALCVSS 9.1 · Published November 29, 2024

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CVE-2024-35366 is a critical vulnerability affecting FFmpeg version 6.1.1, characterized by an integer overflow in the parse_options function of sbgdec.c within the libavformat module. This flaw arises from the software's failure to adequately validate input when parsing certain options, allowing negative duration values to be accepted without proper bounds checking. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.1, indicating a high severity that necessitates immediate attention from organizations utilizing this technology.

The vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations, as it could lead to unexpected behavior of the software, potentially resulting in denial of service or other impacts on system integrity and availability. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability remotely, given its network attack vector, making it crucial for organizations to prioritize remediation efforts.

Currently, no known exploits or proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability, but its critical nature mandates that defenders remain vigilant. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

As the vulnerability has been analyzed and disclosed, organizations are urged to stay updated with any new information regarding this issue and implement necessary patches as soon as they become available.

Vulnerability Details

The official CVE description states that FFmpeg n6.1.1 has an integer overflow vulnerability located in the parse_options function of sbgdec.c within the libavformat module. The flaw allows for negative duration values to be accepted without proper bounds checking, which could lead to unintended consequences in software behavior.

The CVSS score of 9.1 categorizes this vulnerability as critical, reflecting its potential impact on affected systems. Specifically, the vulnerability affects FFmpeg version 6.1.1, and organizations should ensure that they are using the patched version to avoid exploitation.

The vulnerability has a CWE classification of CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound), indicating the nature of the flaw. Given that the vulnerability is network exploitable with low complexity and does not require any privileges or user interaction, the urgency for remediation is heightened.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2024-35366 lies in the inadequate input validation during the parsing of certain options. The specific function, parse_options in sbgdec.c, fails to check for negative duration values, which leads to an integer overflow condition. This oversight can result in critical impacts on both integrity and availability, as the software may behave unpredictably when it processes invalid input.

The attack vector for this vulnerability is classified as network-based. Attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker can exploit the vulnerability without significant effort. Additionally, no privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary, which increases the risk of exploitation. The impacts on confidentiality are none, while integrity and availability are both rated as high.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2024-35366 is significant. Organizations utilizing FFmpeg 6.1.1 may face severe consequences if this vulnerability is exploited. The potential for denial of service or other integrity impacts means that the blast radius could be considerable, affecting not only individual systems but potentially wider network segments.

Given the CVSS score of 9.1, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The lack of known exploits does not reduce the urgency; organizations should take proactive measures to mitigate the risk.

Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any updates related to this vulnerability while also reviewing their security posture and ensuring that any remediation steps are taken swiftly.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected version for this vulnerability is FFmpeg 6.1.1. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest patched version to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. If version information is not available, organizations should assume that all versions prior to the vendor patch are vulnerable.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize patching FFmpeg to the latest version immediately. If a patch is not available, organizations can implement workarounds by validating input to avoid negative duration values. Configuration hardening should also be considered to restrict the types of input that can be processed.

Monitoring for suspicious activity and unusual behavior in systems running FFmpeg is also recommended. For further guidance on how to mitigate similar vulnerabilities, organizations may refer to our penetration testing services which can help identify weaknesses in applications.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation, focusing on abnormal inputs to the parse_options function. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected crashes or degraded performance may also indicate an attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Network signatures should be established to detect any unusual traffic patterns associated with potential exploitation attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2024-35366 emphasizes the importance of robust input validation in software development. This vulnerability highlights a common pattern where overlooked input checks can lead to severe consequences. Security teams should take this as a lesson to conduct thorough reviews of code, focusing on input validation and boundary checks to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

For organizations utilizing FFmpeg or similar libraries, investing in a comprehensive penetration testing methodology can bolster defenses against potential exploitation.

Additionally, by learning from the trends represented by CVE-2024-35366, organizations can enhance their security posture, ensuring they are better prepared to face emerging threats in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

For further insights, organizations may benefit from exploring our resources on vulnerability management programs and how to effectively design a program that addresses vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-35366.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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