CVE-2000-0185 in RealServer
Summary
by MITRE
RealMedia RealServer reveals the real IP address of a Real Server, even if the address is supposed to be private.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0185 represents a significant information disclosure flaw in RealMedia RealServer software that undermines network security principles and privacy protections. This vulnerability specifically affects RealServer implementations that are configured to operate behind network address translation (NAT) or firewall environments where internal IP addresses should remain concealed from external network entities. The flaw occurs during normal server operations when the RealServer responds to client requests in a manner that inadvertently exposes the underlying private IP address of the server host, effectively bypassing the intended network isolation mechanisms that organizations rely upon for security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of network communication protocols within the RealServer implementation. When clients connect to the RealServer or request media streams, the server's response packets contain network address information that includes the actual internal IP address rather than the public-facing address that should be presented to external clients. This occurs because the server fails to properly translate or mask the source IP address in its response headers or protocol exchanges, creating a direct mapping between the internal network infrastructure and external network entities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the network layer protocol handling level, making it difficult to detect through standard application-level security scanning tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0185 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises network security posture and enables various downstream attacks that leverage the exposed internal IP addresses. Attackers can utilize the disclosed private IP addresses to conduct targeted reconnaissance activities, map internal network topologies, and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities that may exist within the internal network infrastructure. This information disclosure can facilitate privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within networks, and social engineering campaigns that rely on accurate network information. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on NAT configurations for network security, as it defeats the fundamental purpose of address hiding and creates predictable attack vectors that would otherwise remain obscured.
Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability through several approaches that align with established security best practices and framework guidelines. The primary mitigation involves updating to patched versions of RealServer software that properly handle IP address translation and concealment mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as proper firewall rules, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual traffic patterns indicating potential exploitation attempts. According to CWE guidelines, this vulnerability relates to CWE-200 Information Exposure, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as the exposed information can enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on anomalous network behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts leveraging the disclosed IP information.