CVE-2024-24265 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in gpac version 2.2.1, a multimedia framework used for processing and packaging media content. The vulnerability is a memory leak caused by improper handling of the dst_props variable within the gf_filter_pid_merge_properties_internal function. Specifically, this function fails to correctly release allocated memory, leading to a gradual consumption of system memory resources when the vulnerable code path is exercised. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely (AV:N) without any privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and it affects availability (A:H) but not confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability does not require authentication and can be triggered by an attacker sending specially crafted inputs to the affected gpac component. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the memory leak can cause denial of service conditions by exhausting system memory, potentially leading to application crashes or system instability. The CWE classification CWE-401 (Improper Release of Memory Before Removing Last Reference) confirms that this is a resource management flaw. Since gpac is often embedded in media processing pipelines, streaming servers, or multimedia applications, exploitation could disrupt media delivery services or degrade performance in environments relying on this software.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily concerns availability disruptions in systems utilizing gpac for media processing or streaming. Media companies, broadcasters, content delivery networks, and enterprises with multimedia communication platforms could experience service interruptions or degraded performance due to memory exhaustion. This could affect customer experience, lead to downtime, and incur operational costs. Additionally, organizations relying on automated media workflows or cloud-based media services that incorporate gpac might face scalability issues or forced restarts of critical services. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the denial of service potential can indirectly affect business continuity and service reliability. Given the increasing reliance on multimedia content delivery in sectors such as media, education, and telecommunications across Europe, the threat is relevant to organizations with such dependencies.

To mitigate CVE-2024-24265, organizations should first identify all instances of gpac version 2.2.1 or earlier in their environment. Since no official patch links are currently available, it is advisable to monitor vendor or project repositories for updates addressing this memory leak. In the interim, organizations can implement resource monitoring and limits to detect abnormal memory consumption by gpac processes and trigger alerts or automated restarts to prevent service outages. Employing containerization or sandboxing techniques can isolate the impact of the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting network access to gpac services to trusted sources can reduce exposure to remote exploitation. For developers or integrators using gpac, reviewing and modifying the source code to ensure proper memory management in the gf_filter_pid_merge_properties_internal function is recommended if feasible. Finally, maintaining robust incident response plans to quickly address denial of service symptoms will help minimize operational impact.