---
id: "CVE-2026-125236"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-125236"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-125236"]
title: "FFmpeg: failed frame allocation leaks memory on crafted VVC streams"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 4.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["ffmpeg", "libavcodec", "media-processing", "package", "vvc"]
not_affected_if: ["no-vvc-decoding", "trusted-input-only"]
published_at: "2026-11-09T19:17:01+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-09T19:28:20+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-09T19:32:14+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-125236", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-09T19:28:20+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# FFmpeg: failed frame allocation leaks memory on crafted VVC streams

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-125236 (this .md is for agents)

FFmpeg through 9.0.2 leaks SPS and PPS parameter-set references in alloc_frame() when frame buffer allocation fails while decoding VVC (H.266) video. An attacker who supplies a crafted VVC stream that keeps replacing parameter sets can grow memory use until the process is denied service.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the installed FFmpeg version with `ffmpeg -version` and compare it to the fixed ranges in the sources.
- Find services that decode untrusted VVC input with FFmpeg or libavcodec.

## Fix

- Fixed version: unknown
- Patch linked in the sources (github.com); version not stated in the text provided.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-09T19:28:20+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-125236

## Documents

- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ffmpeg-through-9.0.2-vvc-decoder-memory-leak-via-alloc-frame
- [fix] Patch: github.com https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/commit/a13e27336a61a3452e1ab8b4bb132c4174c67498

## From the sources

FFmpeg through 9.0.2 contains a memory leak vulnerability in alloc_frame() in libavcodec/vvc/refs.c that leaks SPS and PPS references when frame buffer allocation fails. Attackers can supply a crafted VVC (H.266) stream that repeatedly replaces parameter sets, steadily growing memory use and causing denial of service.

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_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_