CVE-2005-2054 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in RealPlayer 10 and 10.5 (6.0.12.1040-1069) and RealOne Player v1 and v2 allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary ActiveX controls via a crafted MP3 file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2054 represents a critical security flaw affecting RealPlayer versions 10 and 10.5, along with RealOne Player versions 1 and 2. This issue stems from improper input validation and file handling mechanisms within the media player's processing of mp3 files, creating a pathway for remote code execution and arbitrary file manipulation. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from 6.0.12.1040 through 1069, indicating a broad scope of affected software releases that were prevalent during the mid-2000s era of media playback software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of mp3 file structures to include malicious payloads that trigger buffer overflows or improper memory handling within the RealPlayer application. When a user opens a crafted mp3 file, the player's parsing routine fails to properly validate file contents, leading to execution of arbitrary code or unauthorized file overwrite operations. This flaw operates at the intersection of software input validation failure and privilege escalation, allowing attackers to execute malicious ActiveX controls that can compromise the entire system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-74, which addresses injection flaws in data handling processes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who frequently download or receive mp3 files from untrusted sources. The remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open compromised media files. The ability to execute arbitrary ActiveX controls expands the attack surface considerably, as these controls can perform system-level operations including registry modifications, file system access, and network communications. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it allows for command execution through media file manipulation.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate software updates and patches from RealNetworks, as well as network-level controls to prevent unauthorized mp3 file execution. Organizations should implement strict file type validation and content scanning procedures for all media files, particularly those originating from external sources. Additionally, disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers and implementing application whitelisting can significantly reduce the exploitation risk. System administrators should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual file access patterns or registry modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of legacy software that may not receive adequate security updates, highlighting the need for regular software maintenance and security assessments in enterprise environments.