CVE-2005-0192 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the parsing of Skin file names in RealPlayer 10.5 (6.0.12.1040) and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in an RJS filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0192 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within RealPlayer 10.5 and earlier versions, specifically affecting the parsing mechanism of Skin file names. This weakness resides in the application's handling of RJS (RealJukebox Skin) files, which are used to customize the user interface of RealPlayer. The vulnerability arises when the software fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths contained within these skin configuration files, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the path resolution process through the use of directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious RJS file containing .. (dot dot) sequences in the filename specification. These sequences, when processed by the vulnerable RealPlayer application, can traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside of the intended skin directory. This allows unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the target system, potentially including system configuration files, user data, or sensitive information stored in directories accessible to the RealPlayer process. The flaw essentially bypasses normal file access controls by manipulating the relative path resolution mechanism used during skin file parsing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for users of older RealPlayer versions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform reconnaissance activities, extract sensitive data, or potentially escalate privileges if the RealPlayer process runs with elevated permissions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might unknowingly download and open malicious skin files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but also organizations that may have deployed these older versions in enterprise environments, creating potential attack vectors for broader system compromise.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which classifies this as a path traversal attack that allows access to files outside of intended directories. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can use this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through social engineering tactics targeting vulnerable RealPlayer installations. The vulnerability also relates to T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1505 - Server Software Component, as it could potentially allow attackers to access system resources or components that would otherwise be protected by proper access controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to supported RealPlayer versions, disabling skin file processing, or implementing network-level restrictions to prevent access to known vulnerable applications. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted files and regular security audits to identify and remediate legacy software installations are critical measures for reducing the attack surface.