FFmpeg: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2022-3109 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in FFmpeg, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected FFmpeg versions: FFmpeg 5.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.55% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 76% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of FFmpeg you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg | FFmpeg | FFmpeg 5.1 | Not stated |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 10.0; 11.0 | Not stated |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 36 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
An issue was discovered in the FFmpeg package, where vp3_decode_frame in libavcodec/vp3.c lacks check of the return value of av_malloc() and will cause a null pointer dereference, impacting availability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2153551Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
- github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/commit/656cb0450aeb73b25d7d26980af342b37ac4c568
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/06/msg00016.htmlThird Party Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KOMB6WRUC55VWV25IKJT…Third Party Advisory
- debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5394Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in FFmpeg
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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