Urgent SUSE & openSUSE security advisory: Critical ffmpeg-4 update patches CVE-2024-36618 & CVE-2025-7700 vulnerabilities. Learn about the integer overflow & NULL pointer dereference risks, CVSS 6.9 scores, and get step-by-step patch instructions for all affected enterprise Linux distributions.
Category: Enterprise Security, Vulnerability Management
SUSE has released a critical security update (SUSE-SU-2025:02972-1) for the ffmpeg-4 multimedia framework, addressing two significant vulnerabilities rated with a CVSS score of up to 6.9.
For system administrators managing openSUSE Leap 15.4 or any SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP4 environment, applying this patch is a immediate priority to mitigate potential risks of denial-of-service attacks and system instability. This advisory provides a comprehensive breakdown of the threats, affected systems, and precise remediation steps.
Understanding the Security Vulnerabilities and Their Impact
The updated ffmpeg-4 package resolves two distinct Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) entries. FFmpeg is a foundational, open-source tool for processing video and audio files, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to disrupt media services or exploit underlying systems.
CVE-2024-36618: Integer Overflow Vulnerability
This flaw involves an integer overflow that occurs specifically in environments whereULONG_MAXis less thanINT64_MAX. In practical terms, an attacker could exploit this by crafting a malicious media file. When processed by the unpatched FFmpeg, this could lead to application crashes, unpredictable behavior, or a full denial-of-service (DoS) condition, disrupting critical media processing pipelines.
CVE-2025-7700: NULL Pointer Dereference Vulnerability
This vulnerability stems from a potential NULL pointer dereference. Similar to the first CVE, it can be triggered by a specially crafted file. A NULL pointer dereference almost invariably causes the application to crash, again leading to a straightforward DoS attack. This type of flaw can often be a starting point for more complex exploit chains.
The fact that both vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely without user interaction (UI:N) or privileges (PR:N) elevates their risk profile for internet-facing services that process unvetted media content.
Affected Products and Systems: Is Your Infrastructure at Risk?
The following SUSE Linux distributions and modules are confirmed to be affected and require immediate patching. System administrators should cross-reference this list with their asset inventory:
openSUSE Leap 15.4
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4 (and SP4 LTSS)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP4
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4 (ESPOS & LTSS variants)
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Patch FFmpeg-4 Vulnerabilities
Applying the security patch is a straightforward process using SUSE's standard package management tools. The following commands are tailored to your specific distribution for precise execution.
For openSUSE Leap 15.4:
zypper in -t patch SUSE-2025-2972=1
For SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4 / SAP Applications 15 SP4:
Use the SUSE recommended methods like YaST online_update or the following zypper command:
zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Product-SLES-15-SP4-2025-2972=1 # For SAP systems: SUSE-SLE-Product-SLES_SAP-15-SP4-2025-2972=1
For SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4:
# For ESPOS: zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Product-HPC-15-SP4-ESPOS-2025-2972=1 # For LTSS: zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Product-HPC-15-SP4-LTSS-2025-2972=1
After running the appropriate command, restart any services or applications that depend on or actively use the ffmpeg-4 libraries to ensure the patched versions are loaded into memory.
The Critical Role of Proactive Vulnerability Management in Linux Environments
Why do vulnerabilities in a tool like FFmpeg demand such a urgent response? In modern IT infrastructure, multimedia processing is no longer confined to user workstations.
It is integral to video streaming platforms, video conferencing systems, security surveillance footage processing, and automated media transcoding services. A DoS attack on any of these business-critical services can lead to significant financial loss and erosion of user trust.
Implementing a robust patch management policy is a non-negotiable component of enterprise cybersecurity hygiene.
This incident underscores the importance of subscribing to security announcements from your OS vendors and automating patch deployment where possible to minimize the window of exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)[
Q1: What is the severity of these FFmpeg vulnerabilities?
A: Both CVE-2024-36618 and CVE-2025-7700 are rated with a CVSS v4.0 base score of 6.9 (Medium) by SUSE. The NVD rates CVE-2024-36618 at 6.2 (Medium). They primarily threaten availability through denial-of-service.
Q2: Can these vulnerabilities lead to remote code execution (RCE)?
A: The current assessment from SUSE indicates that these specific flaws lead to DoS conditions (Availability impact: Low/High). There is no evidence to suggest they allow for remote code execution. However, patching remains critical to maintain system stability.
Q3: Do I need to reboot my server after applying this patch?
A: A full system reboot is typically not required for a library update like this. However, it is essential to restart all services and applications that are linked against the patched ffmpeg-4 libraries to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.
Q4: Where can I find the official SUSE security announcement?
A: You can find the official SUSE bulletin for this patch at the following link: SUSE Security Update SUSE-SU-2025:02972-1.
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