CVE-2007-6224 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
The RealNetworks RealAudioObjects.RealAudio ActiveX control in rmoc3260.dll, as shipped with RealPlayer 11, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (browser crash) via a certain argument to the GetSourceTransport method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6224 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the RealNetworks RealAudio ActiveX control ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects the rmoc3260.dll component that ships with RealPlayer 11, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by remote threat actors to disrupt browser functionality. The issue stems from improper input validation within the GetSourceTransport method of the RealAudioObjects.RealAudio ActiveX control, which fails to properly handle maliciously crafted arguments. The vulnerability falls under the category of buffer overflow conditions and memory corruption issues, making it particularly dangerous in web browser environments where ActiveX controls are executed with elevated privileges. This flaw represents a classic example of unsafe memory handling practices that have been documented in numerous security advisories and vulnerability assessments over the years.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a specific argument to the GetSourceTransport method within the ActiveX control. This malformed input triggers a memory corruption condition that ultimately leads to browser instability and complete crash scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the browser level where ActiveX controls execute with high privilege levels, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their attacks beyond simple denial of service. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input parameters are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed by the underlying control. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for execution through ActiveX controls. The exploitation mechanism leverages the inherent trust model of web browsers when executing ActiveX components, making it particularly difficult to defend against through traditional network security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6224 extends beyond simple browser crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. While the immediate effect is denial of service, the vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within compromised systems. The exploitation can occur through web pages that automatically load the vulnerable ActiveX control, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or malicious websites. Organizations running affected versions of RealPlayer are at significant risk of user disruption and potential system compromise, especially in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are frequently used for multimedia content delivery. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread deployment of RealPlayer software, making it a prime target for mass exploitation campaigns. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in other ActiveX-based vulnerabilities, where initial denial of service conditions serve as precursors to more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability also highlights the broader security challenges associated with legacy software components that continue to receive support despite known security flaws.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6224 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves immediate patching of affected RealPlayer installations through official vendor updates, though this particular vulnerability existed in older versions where patches may no longer be available. Organizations should implement ActiveX control restrictions within browser security policies to prevent automatic execution of potentially vulnerable components. Network segmentation and web filtering solutions can help block access to known malicious domains that may exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should consider disabling ActiveX controls entirely in browser configurations where they are not strictly required for business operations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventories and implementing regular vulnerability assessment procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling automatic ActiveX control loading and implementing strict content security policies. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of unusual ActiveX control behavior and browser crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices for ActiveX control management and align with frameworks such as NIST SP 800-125 for secure web application development and deployment practices.