Stupid question but is it possible to get a virus from an MKV file.
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.
In general media files can be formed in a way to trigger some bug in the media player, sometimes in ways that allow to overflow buffers and start ROP chaining.
About 8 years ago there was this media file going around crashing any iPhones that tried to play it with the integrated player.
Of course crashing is way easier than code execution. So overall your scenario is unlikely. VLC also does not yet know of any issues with 3.0.20: https://www.videolan.org/security/
if you really only played it and it didn't abuse some zero day in vlc (extremely unlikely), the there's basically zero chance you could have activated a virus.
It’s possible to get a virus from any data that enters your computer full stop.
Likelyhood wise: that virus on the MKV will have to attack the operating system preview system (which means you fucked all the way up to personal nation state attention), or attack the video player (which is a lot more likelier, they discover theoretical exploits all the time).
You’re talking about streaming with VLC? Was it a trusted source? Cause otherwise the FBI or script kiddie has probably fucked you up.
Depends what you play it through TBH. If a program has access to your memory, then yes. Naturally it's a nuanced answer and unless you are a security expert that knows exactly how memory is allocated and how elevated privileges work, not to mention all the little bugs, etc. in your system, then the answer is yes. You aren't really safe from anything that hits your hard drive.