CVE-2007-2263 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks RealPlayer 10.0, 10.1, and possibly 10.5, RealOne Player, and RealPlayer Enterprise allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an SWF (Flash) file with malformed record headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2263 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software including versions 10.0, 10.1, and potentially 10.5 along with RealOne Player and RealPlayer Enterprise. This flaw exists within the processing logic for Shockwave Flash (SWF) files, which are commonly used multimedia files that can contain embedded executable content. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the software encounters SWF files with malformed record headers that exceed the allocated buffer space during parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the SWF file parser component of RealPlayer. When processing a maliciously crafted SWF file, the application fails to properly bounds-check the record headers, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer. This heap corruption creates conditions where arbitrary code execution becomes possible, as the overflow can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a direct consequence of inadequate input validation and memory management practices.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who may inadvertently encounter malicious SWF files through web browsing, email attachments, or file sharing networks. The remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur without any local interaction from the user beyond viewing the malicious content, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The impact is amplified by the widespread use of RealPlayer across enterprise environments and consumer platforms during the affected time period.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple defensive layers including immediate patching of affected software versions, network-based filtering of SWF content, and user education regarding suspicious file attachments. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious SWF file patterns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands and potentially escalate privileges. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of RealPlayer to trusted environments can provide an additional defensive measure against exploitation attempts.