CVE-2002-0207 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Real Networks RealPlayer 8.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a header length value that exceeds the actual length of the header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0207 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Real Networks RealPlayer version 8.0 and earlier releases. This security defect stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the media player's handling of multimedia file headers, specifically when processing the header length field in media streams. The flaw occurs when the application encounters a malformed header where the declared header length exceeds the actual data available in the header portion, creating a condition where memory allocation becomes insufficient to accommodate the expected data. This fundamental design weakness allows malicious actors to manipulate the header length parameter to trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. The buffer overflow vulnerability manifests in the application's memory management routines where it allocates a buffer based on the specified header length value without proper bounds checking against the actual data available. When the application attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, it overwrites adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program structures and executable code segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Attackers can craft specially designed media files or stream content that exploits this buffer overflow condition, enabling them to inject and execute malicious payloads within the context of the RealPlayer application. This remote code execution capability represents a severe threat vector since it requires no local system access or user interaction beyond the simple act of opening the malicious media content. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based media streams, email attachments containing malicious media files, or network-based media delivery systems. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer without requiring elevated privileges, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized system access and potentially establish persistent backdoors within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0207 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Real Networks, which would include updating to RealPlayer version 8.1 or later where the buffer overflow conditions have been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent unauthorized media content delivery to user systems, particularly in environments where real-time media streaming occurs. Security administrators should disable RealPlayer functionality where possible and implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable software. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments of media handling components, implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious media file patterns, and user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted media content from unknown sources. Network administrators should also consider implementing deep packet inspection capabilities to identify and block malformed media headers that could indicate exploitation attempts.