CVE-2024-22861 is an integer overflow vulnerability identified in FFmpeg versions prior to n6.1. FFmpeg is a widely used open-source multimedia framework that handles video, audio, and other multimedia files and streams. The vulnerability resides specifically in the avcodec/osq module, which is part of FFmpeg's codec library responsible for encoding and decoding multimedia content. An integer overflow occurs when an arithmetic operation attempts to create a numeric value that is outside the range that can be represented with a given number of bits, causing the value to wrap around unexpectedly. In this case, the overflow can be triggered by specially crafted multimedia input data, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H) shows that the attack can be executed remotely over the network without any privileges or user interaction, and it impacts availability only, causing service disruption without affecting confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or vendor advisories are linked yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound), which is a common software weakness that can lead to crashes or unexpected behavior. Given FFmpeg's extensive use in media players, streaming services, video conferencing tools, and content processing pipelines, this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to crash or disrupt services that rely on vulnerable FFmpeg versions, potentially impacting availability of multimedia services.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-22861 could be significant, especially for those relying heavily on multimedia processing and streaming services, such as broadcasters, media companies, telecommunications providers, and enterprises using video conferencing solutions. A successful exploitation could cause denial of service, leading to service outages, degraded user experience, and potential operational disruptions. This could affect customer trust and lead to financial losses, particularly for service providers with high availability requirements. Additionally, organizations involved in critical infrastructure or public services that utilize FFmpeg for multimedia handling could face operational risks. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact alone can have cascading effects on business continuity. The lack of required privileges or user interaction for exploitation increases the risk, as attackers can remotely trigger the vulnerability simply by delivering malicious media content. Given the widespread use of FFmpeg in various software products and services, the attack surface is broad, and organizations must assess their exposure carefully.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2024-22861. First, identify all systems and applications that use FFmpeg, either directly or as part of third-party software stacks. This includes media servers, streaming platforms, video conferencing tools, content management systems, and any custom multimedia processing solutions. Next, update FFmpeg to version n6.1 or later as soon as it becomes available, since this version addresses the integer overflow vulnerability. If immediate patching is not possible, implement network-level protections such as filtering or blocking untrusted multimedia content sources, especially those that can deliver crafted media files to vulnerable systems. Employ application-layer gateways or proxies that can sanitize or validate multimedia inputs before processing. Additionally, monitor logs and system behavior for signs of crashes or abnormal terminations related to multimedia processing. Incorporate FFmpeg vulnerability checks into vulnerability management and patching workflows. For software vendors embedding FFmpeg, ensure they release updated versions promptly and communicate the importance of upgrading to their customers. Finally, consider isolating multimedia processing components in sandboxed or containerized environments to limit the impact of potential DoS attacks.