CVE-2018-6621 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2018-6621 was published on February 5, 2018, and affects FFmpeg version 3.2 and earlier. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through a crafted AVI file.

Understanding CVE-2018-6621

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in FFmpeg that can be exploited to trigger a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-6621?

The vulnerability in the decode_frame function in libavcodec/utvideodec.c in FFmpeg version 3.2 or earlier can be exploited by attackers using a specially crafted AVI file to cause a denial of service due to an out-of-array read.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6621

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for remote attackers to disrupt the normal operation of FFmpeg, leading to a denial of service condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6621

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The decode_frame function in libavcodec/utvideodec.c in FFmpeg version 3.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service via a specially crafted AVI file.

Affected Systems and Versions

FFmpeg version 3.2 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using a crafted AVI file to trigger an out-of-array read, leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FFmpeg to a non-vulnerable version
Avoid opening or processing untrusted AVI files

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 provided by FFmpeg to fix the vulnerability