Stupid question but is it possible to get a virus from an MKV file. (lemmings.world)

submitted 5 months ago by Thebay@lemmings.world to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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Stupid question but is it possible to get a virus from an MKV file that is less than 24 hours old. I was streamed using VLC version 3.0.20 form the repose on Linux.

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[-] brettvitaz@programming.dev 25 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

someone please correct me if I’m wrong but I believe that for it to be possible, the application that plays the mkv file would have to have a remote execution exploit and the code for the virus would be executed through the player. the player would be required to have elevated privileges. I think this is exceptionally unlikely for vlc

[-] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 14 points 5 months ago

The player does not have to be elevated. With an unelevated player the file exploiting such a vuln would be able to execute code with the privileges and access of the player