CVE-2017-5844 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2017-5844, a vulnerability in GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3 allowing denial of service attacks via crafted ASF files. Find mitigation steps and update recommendations here.
A vulnerability in the gst_riff_create_audio_caps function within the gst-plugins-base of GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3 can lead to a denial of service attack by triggering a floating point exception.
Understanding CVE-2017-5844
This CVE involves a vulnerability in GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3 that allows an attacker to cause a denial of service via a specially crafted ASF file.
What is CVE-2017-5844?
The vulnerability exists in the gst_riff_create_audio_caps function in the gst-libs/gst/riff/riff-media.c file in gst-plugins-base of GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service by triggering a floating point exception that leads to a crash via a specifically crafted ASF file.
The Impact of CVE-2017-5844
The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service (floating point exception and crash) on affected systems running vulnerable GStreamer versions.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-5844
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 ASF file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious ASF file to trigger a floating point exception, leading to a system crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update GStreamer to version 1.10.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Be cautious when handling ASF files from untrusted sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by GStreamer to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.