CVE-2009-2877 in WebEx
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in ataudio.dll in the Cisco WebEx WRF Player 26.x before 26.49.32 for Windows, 27.x before 27.10.x (aka T27SP10) for Windows, 26.x before 26.49.35 for Mac OS X and Linux, and 27.x before 27.11.8 for Mac OS X and Linux allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted WebEx Recording Format (WRF) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2877 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the ataudio.dll component of Cisco WebEx WRF Player software across multiple platform versions. This vulnerability exists in the Windows versions 26.x prior to 26.49.32 and 27.x prior to 27.10.0, as well as in the Mac OS X and Linux versions of the same software family. The flaw manifests when the affected software processes specially crafted WebEx Recording Format files, which are commonly used for storing and sharing web conference recordings. The buffer overflow occurs in the audio processing module of the player, specifically within the ataudio.dll library that handles the decoding and playback of audio streams embedded within WRF files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of stack-based buffer overflows as classified by CWE-121, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a fixed-length stack buffer. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting adjacent stack memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through the simple act of opening a maliciously crafted WRF file, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks or social engineering campaigns. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that WRF files are commonly shared in business environments and educational institutions, increasing the attack surface significantly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential full system compromise. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the WebEx WRF Player application to crash or, more critically, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. This represents a serious security risk in enterprise environments where the WebEx platform is widely used for collaborative meetings and training sessions. The vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, indicating a widespread exposure across different computing platforms. Organizations that rely on WebEx for business communications face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, or complete system compromise if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2877 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patch management procedures. Cisco released patches for the affected versions of WebEx WRF Player, specifically versions 26.49.32 for Windows, 27.10.0 for Windows, 26.49.35 for Mac OS X and Linux, and 27.11.8 for Mac OS X and Linux. System administrators should prioritize the deployment of these security updates across all affected systems within their organizations. Additionally, network administrators can implement file type filtering and content scanning mechanisms to prevent the execution of potentially malicious WRF files in enterprise environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and remote code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of the vulnerable ataudio.dll component and establish network monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.