CVE-2023-50010

What it actually does

Buffer overflow in set_encoder_id within fftools/ffmpeg_enc.c permits memory corruption and arbitrary code execution by a local attacker.

Why it matters to the business

Systems processing media with this FFmpeg version face risk of full local compromise, enabling data theft or malware deployment in media workflows; high prevalence of FFmpeg increases exposure across video pipelines.

How an attack unfolds

A local attacker supplies crafted input to trigger the overflow in set_encoder_id, overwriting memory to execute attacker-controlled code without needing network access.

How to fix it

Upgrade ffmpeg to the commit e4d2666bdc3dbd177a81bbf428654a5f2fa3787a or newer; rebuild affected tools and verify the fix in ffmpeg_enc.c.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm binary version or source commit is at or after e4d2666bdc3dbd177a81bbf428654a5f2fa3787a; recompile and test set_encoder_id with boundary inputs to verify absence of overflow.

Typical attack path

1. Obtain local shell or process execution rights on the target host
2. Invoke ffmpeg binary with parameters or media files that reach set_encoder_id
3. Trigger the overflow to inject and run arbitrary shellcode

How to detect it

Review process execution logs and crash reports for ffmpeg invocations involving encoder ID handling; inspect for segmentation faults or unexpected memory writes in ffmpeg_enc.c paths.

What your security team should do

• Immediately update all FFmpeg installations to the patched commit
• Restrict local execution privileges for ffmpeg binaries to trusted users only
• Scan build pipelines and containers for vulnerable versions and rebuild them