CVE-2018-10001 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was identified in the decode_init function within the FFmpeg software up to version 3.4.2, allowing remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition by exploiting AVI files.

Understanding CVE-2018-10001

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in FFmpeg that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-10001?

The vulnerability exists in the decode_init function in libavcodec/utvideodec.c in FFmpeg up to version 3.4.2, enabling remote attackers to cause a denial of service through an out-of-array read when processing AVI files.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10001

The vulnerability could result in a denial of service condition, potentially causing the software to crash due to an out-of-array read triggered by malicious AVI files.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10001

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The decode_init function in libavcodec/utvideodec.c in FFmpeg through 3.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-array read) via an AVI file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FFmpeg
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Up to version 3.4.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers through specially crafted AVI files, triggering an out-of-array read and potentially crashing the software.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2018-10001.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FFmpeg to a version beyond 3.4.2 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening AVI files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Implement network security measures to prevent remote attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that FFmpeg is regularly updated to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.