CVE-2003-0726 in RealOne Player
Summary
by MITRE
RealOne player allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script in the "My Computer" zone via a SMIL presentation with a URL that references a scripting protocol, which is executed in the security context of the previously loaded URL, as demonstrated using a "javascript:" URL in the area tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0726 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the RealOne player software that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the user's browser. This issue specifically affects the player's handling of SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) presentations, which are used to coordinate multimedia content and timing in digital media applications. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the player and the security zones it enforces, particularly the "My Computer" zone which typically has elevated privileges compared to other security contexts.
The technical flaw occurs when the RealOne player processes SMIL files containing URL references that utilize scripting protocols such as javascript:. When a user loads a malicious SMIL presentation, the player's parser fails to properly validate or sanitize the URLs contained within the presentation, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the security context of previously loaded content. This particular vulnerability leverages the area tag within SMIL presentations to reference javascript: URLs, which are then executed with the privileges associated with the previously loaded URL, effectively bypassing the security boundaries that should protect against cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to perform actions that would normally be restricted by the browser's security model. Since the malicious script executes within the "My Computer" zone context, it can potentially access local files, modify system settings, or perform other privileged operations that are typically restricted to trusted applications. This represents a significant escalation of privilege vulnerability that could lead to complete system compromise if exploited successfully, particularly in environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content from untrusted sources.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws that occur when web applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable input. The attack vector specifically demonstrates a weakness in input validation and context handling within the RealOne player's SMIL parser, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes in an unexpected security context. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables execution of JavaScript code, and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, since it allows execution within elevated security zones.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the RealOne player software to address the SMIL parsing logic and implement proper URL validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to block access to potentially malicious SMIL content and consider restricting the execution of scripting protocols within multimedia players. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted multimedia content and the implementation of security policies that limit the execution of scripts within media player contexts would significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and context management in multimedia applications, particularly those that handle user-supplied content with elevated privilege execution contexts.