Gstreamer
CVE-2023-38104
HIGH
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Integer overflow checks
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 presents a high real-world risk based on multiple indicators. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects network-based attack vector with low complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed. The EPSS score of 4.97% places it in the 90th percentile, indicating significantly higher exploitation likelihood than most CVEs. While not currently in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, the combination of remote code execution capability, widespread use of GStreamer in various applications, and the availability of detailed technical information from ZDI makes this a priority for patching. The attack complexity is relatively low once an attacker can deliver a malicious RealMedia file to a target system. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker crafts a malicious RealMedia file with specially crafted MDPR chunk data designed to trigger the integer overflow, then delivers it through email, web download, or media streaming service. When a user opens the file in any application using the vulnerable GStreamer library, the integer overflow occurs during buffer allocation, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the application. Given the low attack complexity and the fact that many media players and converters use GStreamer, successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 17, 2026
An integer overflow vulnerability in GStreamer's RealMedia file parsing functionality allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when processing malicious MDPR chunks. The vulnerability affects GStreamer version 1.22.3 and potentially earlier versions, requiring user interaction to trigger but potentially exploitable through various attack vectors depending on implementation. With an EPSS score of 4.97% (90th percentile), this vulnerability poses a significant exploitation risk and has patches available from the vendor.
RemediationAI
Apply the vendor-provided patch available at https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/gstreamer/gstreamer/uploads/d4a0aa4ec2165f6c418703b9e1459d8b/0002-rmdemux-Check-for-integer-overflow-when-calculation-.patch immediately, or upgrade to a patched version of GStreamer when released. As a temporary mitigation, disable or restrict processing of RealMedia files if feasible in your environment, and implement strict input validation for any media files processed through GStreamer. Organizations should also review the Zero Day Initiative advisory at https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1008/ for additional context.
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Technical ContextAI · show details
GStreamer is a widely-used open-source multimedia framework that handles various media formats including RealMedia files. The vulnerability resides in the rmdemux component's MDPR (Media Properties Header) chunk parsing logic, where insufficient validation of user-supplied data leads to an integer overflow (CWE-190) before buffer allocation. This classic integer overflow pattern occurs when arithmetic operations on untrusted input values exceed the maximum value that can be stored in an integer type, causing the value to wrap around and potentially allocate a smaller buffer than intended, leading to heap corruption and code execution opportunities.
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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
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
GStreamer RealMedia File Parsing Integer 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 MDPR chunks. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21444.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2023-38104 presents significant security risk, a integer overflow vulnerability rated CVSS 8.8. Exploitation could allow attackers to corrupt memory, crash the application, or potentially execute arbitrary code. A patch is available and should be applied as part of regular vulnerability management.
Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure; (2) Enable enhanced monitoring and alerting; (3) Apply principle of least privilege.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
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
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