Heap Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in VLC Media Player
Summary
OSV-2025-766: Heap-buffer-overflow in Open. Affects vlc versions >= f8e9d090fc20452cfddb91df28bf235eb59baff1, < d9931019530b0e26ebe7f0cd1ce3eb33ad497f70. Fixed in d9931019530b0e26ebe7f0cd1ce3eb33ad497f70. How to fix ↓
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Background
VLC Media Player is a widely used open-source multimedia player that supports various audio and video formats. It is known for its versatility, user-friendly interface, and ability to stream media over networks. However, like many software applications, VLC is susceptible to vulnerabilities that can compromise its functionality and security.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified is a heap buffer overflow that occurs within the Open function of VLC. This issue was reported through OSS-Fuzz, indicating that it can lead to a crash when the application attempts to read beyond the allocated memory buffer. The crash state is triggered during the demux_Probe and vlc_module_load processes, which could potentially allow an attacker to exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
d9931019530b0e26ebe7f0cd1ce3eb33ad497f70
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid using the specific features or file types that trigger the heap buffer overflow until the patch is applied. It is advisable to refrain from opening untrusted media files.
Conclusion
In summary, the heap buffer overflow vulnerability in VLC Media Player poses a significant risk that can lead to application crashes or potential exploitation. Users are encouraged to update to the latest patched version to mitigate this risk and ensure their software remains secure.
See every vulnerability recorded for vlc →
FAQ
A heap buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the heap than it can hold, potentially leading to memory corruption and security vulnerabilities.
You can check your VLC version by navigating to Help > About in the VLC menu. If your version is between the introduced and fixed commits, it is affected.
Not fixing this vulnerability could allow attackers to exploit the heap buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or crashing the application.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
More information can be found in the OSS-Fuzz report linked in the vulnerability details, which provides insights into the crash state and technical aspects.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for vlc.
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