Memory Leak Vulnerability in FFmpeg IAMF File Handler
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2025-1816: A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in FFmpeg up to 6e26f57f672b05e7b8b052007a83aef99dc81ccb. Affects ffmpeg versions < 7:7.1.1-1. Fixed in 7:7.1.1-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
FFmpeg is a widely-used open-source software suite for handling multimedia data, including audio and video processing. It provides libraries and programs for encoding, decoding, transcoding, muxing, demuxing, streaming, filtering, and playing almost anything that humans and machines have created. The IAMF File Handler component of FFmpeg is responsible for parsing IAMF files, which are used for audio and video data storage. This component has been found to have a vulnerability that could lead to memory leaks, potentially affecting the performance and stability of applications using FFmpeg.
Vulnerability Detail
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been identified in FFmpeg versions up to 6e26f57f672b05e7b8b052007a83aef99dc81ccb. The issue arises in the function audio_element_obu located in the file libavformat/iamf_parse.c. Specifically, the manipulation of the argument num_parameters can lead to a memory leak, which may be exploited remotely. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and could be leveraged by attackers to cause resource exhaustion or application crashes, impacting the overall functionality of systems relying on FFmpeg.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
7:7.1.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade ffmpegTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, no specific workaround has been provided for this vulnerability. It is advisable to apply the patch as soon as possible to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The identified memory leak vulnerability in FFmpeg's IAMF File Handler poses a significant risk to applications utilizing this multimedia framework. It is essential to update to the patched version 7:7.1.1-1 to safeguard against potential exploitation. Regular monitoring of vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for ffmpeg →
FAQ
The vulnerability is a memory leak caused by improper handling of the num_parameters argument in the IAMF File Handler.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to resource exhaustion, causing applications to crash or become unresponsive.
Yes, the patched version of FFmpeg is 7:7.1.1-1, which addresses the memory leak issue.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
While no specific workaround is available, it is crucial to prioritize updating to the patched version to mitigate risks.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for ffmpeg.
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