CVE-2017-5837 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A remote attacker can trigger a denial of service (DoS) by exploiting the gst_riff_create_audio_caps function in gst-plugins-base before version 1.10.3 of GStreamer. This can be achieved by providing a manipulated video file, which leads to a floating point exception and subsequently crashes the system.

Understanding CVE-2017-5837

This CVE involves a vulnerability in GStreamer that allows for a DoS attack through a specific function.

What is CVE-2017-5837?

The gst_riff_create_audio_caps function in gst-plugins-base in GStreamer before version 1.10.3 is susceptible to exploitation by a remote attacker to cause a DoS condition.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5837

The vulnerability can be exploited by providing a manipulated video file, resulting in a floating point exception and system crash.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5837

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The gst_riff_create_audio_caps function in gst-libs/gst/riff/riff-media.c in gst-plugins-base in GStreamer before 1.10.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (floating point exception and crash) via a crafted video file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves providing a manipulated video file to trigger a floating point exception and crash the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2017-5837 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GStreamer to version 1.10.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening video files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and security updates provided by GStreamer to address known vulnerabilities.