PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-64832 FFmpeg CVE debrief
A high-severity double-free vulnerability was discovered in FFmpeg versions 4.4 through 8.1.2, affecting the NVIDIA NVDEC hardware decoder. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-64832, allows attackers to trigger memory corruption by supplying a crafted video file. The vulnerability is caused by the ff_nvdec_start_frame_sep_ref error path freeing memory via nvdec_fdd_priv_free, while the calling layer subsequently frees the same frame description data, resulting in a double-free of the underlying decoder context in any FFmpeg-based application using NVDEC hardware-accelerated decoding.
- Vendor
- FFmpeg
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- HIGH 8.7
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-07-22
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-28
- Advisory published
- 2026-07-22
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-28
Who should care
Organizations using FFmpeg-based applications with NVDEC hardware-accelerated decoding should prioritize patching this vulnerability to prevent potential memory corruption and denial-of-service attacks.
Technical summary
The CVE-2026-64832 vulnerability is a double-free issue in the NVIDIA NVDEC hardware decoder within libavcodec/nvdec.c of FFmpeg. When no decoder surfaces remain, the ff_nvdec_start_frame_sep_ref error path frees memory via nvdec_fdd_priv_free. However, the calling layer subsequently frees the same frame description data, leading to a double-free of the underlying decoder context. This can be exploited by attackers supplying a crafted video file to trigger memory corruption in FFmpeg-based applications that utilize NVDEC hardware-accelerated decoding.
Defensive priority
High
Recommended defensive actions
- Apply patches or updates from FFmpeg to address the double-free vulnerability in the NVIDIA NVDEC hardware decoder.
- Implement compensating controls, such as input validation and data sanitization, to reduce the risk of exploitation.
- Monitor FFmpeg-based applications for unusual activity or crashes that may indicate attempted exploitation.
- Consider disabling NVDEC hardware-accelerated decoding if not required, as a temporary workaround.
- Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
- Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.
- Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.
Evidence notes
The CVE-2026-64832 vulnerability was publicly disclosed on July 22, 2026, with a CVSS score of 8.7. The NVD entry for this vulnerability is currently undergoing analysis. FFmpeg has released patches to address this issue, which are available in the official FFmpeg repository.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-64832 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64832
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2026-64832 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64832
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://code.ffmpeg.org/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/commit/4c6217477fc64305055b37d9d1d0d76d30e37f97
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://code.ffmpeg.org/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/pulls/23664
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ffmpeg-double-free-in-nvdec-hardware-decoder-via-nvdec-c
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.