NULL Pointer Dereference in GPAC MP4Box DoS Vulnerability

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference in the gf_media_map_esd function within the media_tools/isom_tools.c file of GPAC MP4Box version 2.4. It occurs when the software processes a specially crafted MP4 file, which causes the program to attempt to access memory through a NULL pointer, leading to a crash.

Essentially, an attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a malicious MP4 file that triggers this error, causing the application to stop functioning properly.

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Compliance Impact

The provided information does not specify any direct impact of this vulnerability on compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.

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Impact Analysis

The primary impact of this vulnerability is a Denial of Service (DoS). By exploiting the NULL pointer dereference, an attacker can cause the GPAC MP4Box application to crash or become unresponsive.

This can disrupt services or workflows that rely on MP4Box for media processing, potentially leading to downtime or interruption of media-related operations.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability can be detected by testing the GPAC MP4Box application with a crafted MP4 file that triggers the NULL pointer dereference in the gf_media_map_esd function. A proof-of-concept file is available to reproduce the crash.

To detect the vulnerability on your system, you can run MP4Box against suspicious or untrusted MP4 files and observe if the application crashes or produces segmentation faults.

Example command to test a file for the vulnerability:

• mp4box -frag <crafted_mp4_file>

If MP4Box crashes with a segmentation fault during processing, it indicates the presence of the vulnerability.

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Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation steps include:

• Avoid processing untrusted or suspicious MP4 files with GPAC MP4Box until the vulnerability is patched.
• Apply the official fix implemented in commit 09e7063ed0a13b4cee9a180a56dcc21e9f9ade07 as soon as it is available.
• Monitor for updates from the GPAC project and update MP4Box to a version that includes the patch.
• Restrict access to MP4Box on your systems to trusted users to reduce the risk of exploitation.

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