CVE-2019-20631 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A problem was found in the libgpac.a library in GPAC version 0.8.0 or earlier, leading to a denial of service vulnerability when processing manipulated MP4 files.

Understanding CVE-2019-20631

This CVE identifies an invalid pointer dereference in the function gf_list_count within the file utils/list.c in GPAC.

What is CVE-2019-20631?

This CVE describes a vulnerability in GPAC versions prior to 0.8.0, where an attacker can exploit an invalid pointer dereference to cause a denial of service by using a crafted MP4 file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20631

The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in a denial of service, potentially disrupting the availability of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20631

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

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in an invalid pointer dereference in the function gf_list_count within the file utils/list.c in GPAC.

Affected Systems and Versions

GPAC versions 0.8.0 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using a manipulated MP4 file, triggering the invalid pointer dereference and causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20631 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GPAC to version 0.8.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening or processing untrusted MP4 files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malformed files from causing vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by GPAC promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.