CVE-2017-1000460 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the libavcodec library, ffmpeg, and chromium could allow an attacker to cause a NULL dereference exception.

Understanding CVE-2017-1000460

This CVE describes a flaw in handling return values in specific versions of libavcodec, ffmpeg, and chromium.

What is CVE-2017-1000460?

At line 500 of the file h264dec.c in libavcodec library (v13_dev0), ffmpeg (n3.4), and chromium (prior to version 56, before Feb 13, 2017), the code does not properly handle the return value of the init_get_bits function. This leads to a NULL dereference exception when calling get_ue_golomb function on an uninitialized get_bits context.

The Impact of CVE-2017-1000460

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to trigger a NULL dereference exception, potentially leading to a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-1000460

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs in the libavcodec library, ffmpeg, and chromium due to improper handling of return values, leading to a NULL dereference exception.

Affected Systems and Versions

libavcodec library version v13_dev0
ffmpeg version n3.4
chromium version 56 prior to Feb 13, 2017

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could manipulate the uninitialized get_bits context to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-1000460, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update libavcodec, ffmpeg, and chromium to patched versions.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest secure versions.
Implement code review processes to catch similar issues during development.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the respective vendors to fix the vulnerability.