Code execution via oversized metadata read
Published Nov 13, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025
Heap-based buffer overflow in Axiomatic Systems LLC Bento4 mp4info allows attackers to execute code via a crafted MP4 file. While parsing metadata, AP4_MetaDataStringAtom allocates a one-byte heap buffer, then AP4_StdcFileByteStream::ReadPartial passes a larger attacker-controlled length to fread, which writes beyond that allocation. A user must run mp4info on the file; the demonstrated outcome is a process crash, while controlled memory corruption enables arbitrary code execution.
Summary
What happened
Heap-based buffer overflow in Axiomatic Systems LLC Bento4 mp4info allows attackers to execute code via a crafted MP4 file. While parsing metadata, AP4_MetaDataStringAtom allocates a one-byte heap buffer, then AP4_StdcFileByteStream::ReadPartial passes a larger attacker-controlled length to fread, which writes beyond that allocation. A user must run mp4info on the file; the demonstrated outcome is a process crash, while controlled memory corruption enables arbitrary code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-3974
- Published
- Nov 13, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 15, 2025
- Vendor
- Axiomatic Systems LLC
- Product
- Bento4
- Classifications
- CWE-787, CWE-119, T1203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 13, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 15, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=n/a
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- mp4info ReadPartial heap-overflow reproducerproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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