CVE-2021-35306 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-35306, a vulnerability found in Bento4 versions up to v1.6.0-636 that allows for a denial of service attack through a NULL pointer dereference in the AP4_StszAtom::WriteFields function.

Understanding CVE-2021-35306

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-35306 vulnerability in Bento4.

What is CVE-2021-35306?

CVE-2021-35306 is a security flaw discovered in Bento4 up to version v1.6.0-636. It involves a NULL pointer dereference in the AP4_StszAtom::WriteFields function, enabling a potential attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-35306

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for a DoS attack, leading to service disruption and system unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-35306

Here we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-35306.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the AP4_StszAtom::WriteFields function in Ap4StszAtom.cpp, allowing threat actors to exploit a NULL pointer dereference and execute a DoS attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Bento4 versions up to v1.6.0-636 are affected by CVE-2021-35306, exposing systems running these versions to the identified vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit the vulnerability by triggering a NULL pointer dereference in the AP4_StszAtom::WriteFields function, resulting in a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we look at steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-35306.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to update Bento4 to versions beyond v1.6.0-636, as newer versions likely contain patches addressing this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing regular security updates, monitoring for new patches, and conducting security assessments can enhance the overall security posture of systems.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying software updates and security patches is crucial for mitigating vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-35306 and ensuring system resilience.