CVE-2017-7863 : Security Advisory and Response

An out-of-bounds write vulnerability was discovered in FFmpeg prior to 2017-02-04, caused by a heap-based buffer overflow in the decode_frame_common function in libavcodec/pngdec.c.

Understanding CVE-2017-7863

This CVE entry details a critical security issue in FFmpeg that could lead to a heap-based buffer overflow.

What is CVE-2017-7863?

CVE-2017-7863 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in FFmpeg versions before 2017-02-04, specifically related to the decode_frame_common function in libavcodec/pngdec.c.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7863

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7863

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is due to a heap-based buffer overflow in the decode_frame_common function within libavcodec/pngdec.c in FFmpeg versions prior to 2017-02-04.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: n/a
Vendor: n/a
Versions: All versions prior to 2017-02-04

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious PNG file to trigger the heap-based buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-7863 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FFmpeg to a version released after 2017-02-04 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malicious inputs from triggering buffer overflows.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest secure versions.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by FFmpeg to address the specific vulnerability in the affected versions.