Gstreamer
CVE-2023-37328
HIGH
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Heap buffer bounds checking
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Execution The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | This vulnerability carries substantial real-world risk with a CVSS score of 8.8 (High) and an EPSS score of 7.71%, placing it in the 92nd percentile for exploitation likelihood. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates network-based attacks with low complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed. The high EPSS score suggests active exploitation attempts or available exploit code in the wild. While not currently in CISA's KEV catalog, the combination of remote code execution capability, widespread GStreamer deployment, and high EPSS score makes this a priority for patching. The vulnerability was assigned ZDI-CAN-20994 by Zero Day Initiative, indicating professional security researcher involvement. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker crafts a malicious video file containing specially formatted PGS subtitles that trigger the heap buffer overflow when processed by a vulnerable GStreamer installation. When a user opens this file in any media player or application using GStreamer (such as through a streaming service, media player, or web browser), the overflow executes attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the running application. Given the low attack complexity and network attack vector, this could be weaponized through malicious media files distributed via file sharing, streaming platforms, or email attachments. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 17, 2026
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in GStreamer's PGS (Presentation Graphic Stream) subtitle file parser allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when processing malicious subtitle files. The vulnerability affects all GStreamer installations and requires user interaction to exploit, typically by opening a media file with crafted PGS subtitles. With an EPSS score of 7.71% (92nd percentile), this vulnerability represents a significant exploitation risk in the wild.
RemediationAI
Update GStreamer to the latest patched version as specified in security advisory SA-2023-0003 at https://gstreamer.freedesktop.org/security/sa-2023-0003.html. For Fedora users, apply the security updates referenced at https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IGQEFZ6ZB3C2XU4JQD3IAFMQIN456W2D/. As an immediate mitigation, disable PGS subtitle processing or restrict media file sources to trusted origins only. Organizations should inventory all applications using GStreamer libraries and prioritize patching based on exposure to untrusted media files.
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Technical ContextAI · show details
GStreamer is a widely-used open-source multimedia framework that handles audio and video processing across numerous applications and platforms. The vulnerability resides in the PGS subtitle parsing component, where insufficient validation of user-supplied data length leads to a heap buffer overflow (CWE-122). According to the CPE data (cpe:2.3:a:gstreamer:gstreamer:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*), all versions of GStreamer are affected. PGS subtitles are commonly used in Blu-ray discs and digital media files, making this a broad attack surface for multimedia applications using GStreamer.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionCVE.org
GStreamer PGS File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GStreamer. Interaction with this library is required to exploit this vulnerability but attack vectors may vary depending on the implementation.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of PGS subtitle files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. . Was ZDI-CAN-20994.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2023-37328 presents significant security risk, a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability rated CVSS 8.8. Exploitation could allow attackers to corrupt memory, crash the application, or potentially execute arbitrary code. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.
Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Enable ASLR and DEP where available; (2) Implement network segmentation; (3) Monitor for exploitation indicators.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
VulDB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
Heap-based buffer overflow in the flx_decode_delta_fli function in gst/flx/gstflxdec.c in the FLIC decoder in GStreamer
Heap-based buffer overflow in the flx_decode_delta_fli function in gst/flx/gstflxdec.c in the FLIC decoder in GStreamer
Heap-based buffer overflow in the flx_decode_delta_fli function in gst/flx/gstflxdec.c in the FLIC decoder in GStreamer
The FLIC decoder in GStreamer before 1.10.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds write an
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in GStreamer's RTSP connection parser that allows remote attackers to
A heap buffer over-read vulnerability exists in GStreamer's isomp4 plugin that allows reading past allocated memory boun
An integer overflow vulnerability in the GStreamer multimedia framework's matroska demuxer allows heap memory corruption
A critical integer overflow vulnerability in GStreamer's qtdemux element allows attackers to trigger denial of service o
A critical integer overflow vulnerability in the GStreamer multimedia framework's Matroska (MKV) demuxer can cause denia
An integer overflow vulnerability in GStreamer's Matroska demuxer can cause denial of service or potentially heap memory
An integer overflow vulnerability in GStreamer's AVI demux element allows attackers to trigger a heap overwrite when par
A heap overflow vulnerability exists in GStreamer's matroskaparse element due to an integer overflow in the gst_matroska
GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB