CVE-2017-7208 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2017-7208, a vulnerability in libavcodec library allowing remote attackers to trigger a denial of service or access sensitive information. Find mitigation steps here.
CVE-2017-7208 was published on March 21, 2017, by MITRE. It involves a vulnerability in the libavcodec library in libav version 9.21 that allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition or retrieve sensitive information from process memory.
Understanding CVE-2017-7208
This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the libavcodec library that can be exploited remotely to cause a denial of service or extract sensitive data.
What is CVE-2017-7208?
The vulnerability in the decode_residual function of libavcodec in libav version 9.21 enables remote attackers to exploit a crafted h264 video file to trigger a buffer over-read, leading to a denial of service or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The Impact of CVE-2017-7208
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to:
- Cause a denial of service condition
- Retrieve sensitive information from the memory of the affected process
Technical Details of CVE-2017-7208
This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2017-7208 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The decode_residual function in libavcodec in libav 9.21 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer over-read) or obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted h264 video file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: N/A
- Affected Vendor: N/A
- Affected Version: N/A
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers exploit a specially crafted h264 video file to trigger a buffer over-read, leading to a denial of service or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2017-7208, consider the following mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches or updates promptly
- Implement network security measures to prevent remote exploitation
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities
Patching and Updates
- Check for security advisories from relevant vendors
- Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to mitigate the vulnerability