Description
GStreamer MRF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GStreamer. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of MRF 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-29608.
Published: 2026-08-20
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability is a heap‑based buffer overflow that occurs when GStreamer parses MRF files. The parser fails to validate the length of user‑supplied data before copying it into a heap buffer, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory and execute code. Because the flaw is triggered by processing a crafted MRF file, remote code execution can be achieved when a user opens a malicious file or visits a malicious page that serves one.

Affected Systems

The issue affects the GStreamer framework. No specific version ranges were provided in the advisory; all installations that use the unpatched MRF parser may be vulnerable until a corrected release is applied. Users of current GStreamer distributions should verify that their packages include the security update described in the vendor advisory.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity, and the EPSS score of <1% shows a very low but nonzero probability of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA's KEV catalog, suggesting that widespread exploitation is not yet documented. Because user interaction is required, the risk to an automated environment remains lower, but any user‑actionable flow that allows opening unknown MRF files presents an opportunity for an attacker to gain execution rights.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 22, 2026 at 02:27 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install the latest GStreamer release that includes the patched MRF parser.
  • If a patch is not yet available, block or sandbox the opening of MRF files by disabling file‑type association or configuring the application to reject unknown MIME types.
  • Apply application‑level controls such as file‑type whitelisting and security monitoring to detect and prevent anomalous execution resulting from malformed MRF files.
  • Review custom GStreamer plugins to ensure they perform proper bounds validation on buffers to prevent future overflows.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 22, 2026 at 02:27 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:gstreamer:gstreamer:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-120
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important


Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Gstreamer
Gstreamer gstreamer
Vendors & Products Gstreamer
Gstreamer gstreamer

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description GStreamer MRF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GStreamer. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of MRF 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-29608.
Title GStreamer MRF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Weaknesses CWE-122
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Subscriptions

Gstreamer Gstreamer
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: zdi

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-27T16:24:54.535Z

Reserved: 2026-07-29T17:10:30.772Z

Link: CVE-2026-18296

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-27T16:16:26.969Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-08-20T17:17:26.390

Modified: 2026-09-02T18:51:40.007

Link: CVE-2026-18296

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-08-20T16:22:07Z

Links: CVE-2026-18296 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-22T02:30:17Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-120

    Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow