CVE-2020-12284Network attack vector

Heap memory corruption via unchecked JPEG length

Published Apr 28, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Heap-based buffer overflow in FFmpeg 4.1 and 4.2.2 allows attackers to write beyond a heap buffer via a crafted JPEG stream. In libavcodec/cbs_jpeg.c, cbs_jpeg_split_fragment reads the JPEG SOS length and uses it without checking that it fits within the remaining fragment. An attacker must cause an FFmpeg-based application to process malicious JPEG data; the public record does not establish reliable code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.85%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in FFmpeg 4.1 and 4.2.2 allows attackers to write beyond a heap buffer via a crafted JPEG stream. In libavcodec/cbs_jpeg.c, cbs_jpeg_split_fragment reads the JPEG SOS length and uses it without checking that it fits within the remaining fragment. An attacker must cause an FFmpeg-based application to process malicious JPEG data; the public record does not establish reliable code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12284
Published
Apr 28, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 28, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
10.0NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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