CVE-2023-6601 Ffmpeg: hls unsafe file extension bypass in ffmpeg

Medium 4.7 Published 6 Jan 2025 Updated 3 Nov 2025

Attackers can bypass file extension checks in FFmpeg's HLS demuxer using base64 data URIs to trigger arbitrary demuxers, potentially leading to code execution.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2023-6601?

CVE-2023-6601 is a medium-severity code injection vulnerability in Ffmpeg Ffmpeg, published on 6 Jan 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

A flaw was found in FFmpeg's HLS demuxer. This vulnerability allows bypassing unsafe file extension checks and triggering arbitrary demuxers via base64-encoded data URIs appended with specific file extensions.

Weakness: CWE-94, CWE-99

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-6601?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (2)

`ffmpeg-4` openSUSE:Tumbleweed	All versions	`4.4.6-10.1`
`ffmpeg-7` openSUSE:Tumbleweed	All versions	`7.1.3-1.1`

Products include Ffmpeg Ffmpeg.

How do I fix CVE-2023-6601?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2023-6601 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-6601 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Ffmpeg Ffmpeg vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2023-6601, GHSA-wj7r-cv36-mxr3, JLSEC-2025-146, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-6601, openSUSE-SU-2026:10027-1, openSUSE-SU-2026:10028-1.