CVE-2005-2936 in realone player
Summary
by MITRE
unquoted windows search path vulnerability in realnetworks realplayer 10.5 6.0.12.1040 through 6.0.12.1348 realplayer 10 realone player v2 realone player v1 and realplayer 8 before 20060322 might allow local users to gain privileges via a malicious c:\program.exe file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
This vulnerability represents a classic unquoted search path security flaw that affects multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software across different product lines. The issue stems from how the application handles path resolution when executing programs, specifically in the context of the Windows operating system's search order mechanism. When a program is executed without proper quotation of the path, Windows searches through a predefined sequence of directories to locate the executable, creating opportunities for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the way RealPlayer processes and resolves file paths during execution. In the affected versions, the software does not properly quote path names when launching external executables or components, allowing attackers to place malicious executables in directories that Windows searches before the intended program location. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from RealPlayer 6.0.12.1040 through 6.0.12.1348, RealPlayer 10, RealOne Player v2, RealOne Player v1, and RealPlayer 8 before 20060322, all of which share this path resolution weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local users to potentially elevate their privileges on affected systems. Attackers can exploit this by creating a malicious program named "program.exe" in the c:\ directory, which will be executed with elevated privileges when RealPlayer attempts to launch a component. This represents a privilege escalation attack that aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction and leverages the inherent Windows search behavior rather than requiring complex exploitation techniques.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-428, which describes "Unquoted Search Path" conditions where the operating system searches for executables in a predictable sequence of directories. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and path handling practices that are common in legacy software development where security considerations were not adequately integrated into the development lifecycle. Organizations running affected RealPlayer versions face potential unauthorized access to system resources, data theft, and possible persistence mechanisms that attackers could establish through this privilege escalation vector.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions, implementing proper path quoting in application execution, and conducting comprehensive system audits to identify other applications with similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious executable launches from unexpected directories. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar path resolution issues that could affect other software components in the system.