CVE-2023-49528
📋 TL;DR
A buffer overflow vulnerability in FFmpeg's de_stereo component allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. This affects FFmpeg version n6.1-3-g466799d4f5 and potentially other versions. Systems using vulnerable FFmpeg builds for audio processing are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- FFmpeg
📦 What is this software?
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Ffmpeg by Ffmpeg
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation leading to full system compromise via arbitrary code execution.
Likely Case
Denial of service (application crash) or limited code execution in the context of the FFmpeg process.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper sandboxing/containerization isolates FFmpeg processes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger specific audio processing. No public exploit code identified in references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in FFmpeg git commit after n6.1-3-g466799d4f5 - check specific distribution patches
Vendor Advisory: https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ticket/10691
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update FFmpeg to patched version from official repository. 2. For Linux distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update ffmpeg package. 3. Restart any services using FFmpeg.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable af_dialoguenhance filter
allPrevent use of vulnerable audio filter component
Modify FFmpeg configurations to avoid '-af dialoguenhance' parameter
Sandbox FFmpeg execution
linuxRun FFmpeg in restricted environment to limit impact
Use containers (Docker with limited capabilities)
Use seccomp-bpf filters
Run as unprivileged user
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local users who can execute FFmpeg
- Monitor for abnormal FFmpeg process behavior or crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check FFmpeg version: ffmpeg -version | grep 'version' and compare to known vulnerable versionsCheck Version:
ffmpeg -version | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Verify updated version no longer matches vulnerable version string and test audio processing with dialoguenhance filter📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- FFmpeg segmentation faults/crashes
- Abnormal process termination when processing audio
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Process:Name='ffmpeg' AND EventID='1000' (Windows crash) OR 'segmentation fault' in syslog (Linux)🔗 References
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6G7EYH2JAK5OJPVNC6AXYQ5K7YGYNCDN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IPETICRXUOGRIM4U3BCRTIKE3IZWCSBT/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/LE3ASLH6QF2E5OVJI5VA3JSEPJFFFMNY/
- https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ticket/10691
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6G7EYH2JAK5OJPVNC6AXYQ5K7YGYNCDN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IPETICRXUOGRIM4U3BCRTIKE3IZWCSBT/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/LE3ASLH6QF2E5OVJI5VA3JSEPJFFFMNY/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6G7EYH2JAK5OJPVNC6AXYQ5K7YGYNCDN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IPETICRXUOGRIM4U3BCRTIKE3IZWCSBT/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/LE3ASLH6QF2E5OVJI5VA3JSEPJFFFMNY/
- https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ticket/10691
