CVE-2026-1415 is a vulnerability in GPAC, an open-source multimedia framework widely used for media packaging and processing. The issue exists in the function gf_media_export_webvtt_metadata within the source file media_export.c. Specifically, the vulnerability is a null pointer dereference triggered by improper manipulation of the 'Name' argument passed to this function. When the argument is crafted maliciously, it causes the program to dereference a null pointer, leading to a crash and denial of service. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges, meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the system to exploit it. No user interaction is required, and the attack complexity is low. The CVSS 4.0 score of 4.8 reflects a medium severity, primarily impacting availability. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity. A patch has been released (commit af951b892dfbaaa38336ba2eba6d6a42c25810fd) that corrects the handling of the 'Name' argument to prevent the null pointer dereference. While no known exploits are currently active in the wild, a public exploit exists, increasing the risk of potential attacks if systems remain unpatched. Organizations using GPAC versions 2.0 through 2.4.0 should apply the patch to mitigate this risk.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-1415 is denial of service due to application crashes caused by null pointer dereference. For European organizations relying on GPAC for media processing, streaming, or packaging, this could result in service interruptions, degraded user experience, and potential operational downtime. Although the vulnerability does not allow for privilege escalation, data leakage, or code execution, the availability impact could disrupt media workflows, especially in broadcasting, content delivery networks, and media production environments. Organizations with automated media pipelines or embedded systems using GPAC may experience unexpected failures, affecting business continuity. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but insider threats or compromised local accounts could leverage this vulnerability. Given the public availability of an exploit, the risk of opportunistic attacks increases if patches are not applied promptly.

To mitigate CVE-2026-1415, European organizations should: 1) Immediately apply the official patch identified by commit af951b892dfbaaa38336ba2eba6d6a42c25810fd to all affected GPAC installations (versions 2.0 through 2.4.0). 2) Restrict local access to systems running GPAC to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3) Implement strict access controls and monitoring on media processing servers to detect unusual activity or crashes related to GPAC. 4) Conduct regular audits of software versions and patch levels in media infrastructure to ensure compliance. 5) Consider deploying application-level monitoring to detect and alert on crashes or abnormal behavior in GPAC processes. 6) Educate system administrators and media engineers about the vulnerability and the importance of patching. 7) If patching is delayed, consider isolating GPAC services in sandboxed environments to limit the impact of crashes. 8) Review and harden local user account policies to prevent unauthorized local access.