CVE-2021-21852 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Multiple exploitable integer overflow vulnerabilities exist within the MPEG-4 decoding functionality of the GPAC Project on Advanced Content library v1.0.1. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this CVE.

Understanding CVE-2021-21852

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2021-21852, an integer overflow vulnerability within the GPAC Project on Advanced Content library v1.0.1.

What is CVE-2021-21852?

CVE-2021-21852 involves multiple exploitable integer overflow vulnerabilities within the MPEG-4 decoding functionality of the GPAC Project on Advanced Content library v1.0.1. An attacker can leverage a specially crafted MPEG-4 input to trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, leading to memory corruption.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21852

The impact of this vulnerability is significant, with a CVSSv3 base score of 8.8 out of 10, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service, posing a serious risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21852

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2021-21852.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from unchecked arithmetic within the “stss” decoder of the GPAC Project on Advanced Content library v1.0.1, leading to an integer overflow that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow and subsequent memory corruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

The GPAC Project Advanced Content library v1.0.1 is affected by this vulnerability. Specifically, versions such as GPAC Project Advanced Content commit a8a8d412dabcb129e695c3e7d861fcc81f608304 and GPAC Project Advanced Content v1.0.1 are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to open a specially crafted video file. The malformed MPEG-4 input triggers the integer overflow within the “stss” decoder, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow and memory corruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-21852, immediate steps should be taken and followed by long-term security practices and timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately apply security updates or patches provided by the GPAC Project to remediate the vulnerability. Avoid opening untrusted video files or content from unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security measures such as network segmentation, access controls, and security awareness training to prevent similar exploits in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and security advisories from GPAC Project. Promptly apply patches to ensure that systems are protected from known vulnerabilities.