CVE-2009-4244 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks RealPlayer 10; RealPlayer 10.5 6.0.12.1040 through 6.0.12.1741; RealPlayer 11 11.0.0 through 11.0.4; RealPlayer Enterprise; Mac RealPlayer 10, 10.1, and 11.0; Linux RealPlayer 10; and Helix Player 10.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an SIPR codec field with a small length value that triggers incorrect memory allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-4244 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software across various platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. This flaw exists within the SIPR (Speech Interchange File Format) codec processing functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through media files that contain specially crafted SIPR codec fields. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the software encounters a SIPR codec field with an unexpectedly small length value, which triggers incorrect memory allocation behavior that ultimately leads to memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking occurs during memory allocation operations. The flaw exploits the improper handling of memory allocation parameters within the SIPR codec parser, allowing attackers to manipulate the memory layout of the affected application. When the software processes a SIPR codec field with a small length value, it allocates insufficient memory for the data structure, creating a condition where subsequent data writes can overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple RealNetworks products including RealPlayer 10, 10.5, 11, RealPlayer Enterprise, Mac RealPlayer versions, and Linux RealPlayer 10, making it a widespread concern for organizations using these media players. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious media files containing malformed SIPR codec data, which when opened by an affected RealPlayer instance, triggers the buffer overflow condition. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no special privileges beyond the ability to deliver a malicious media file, making it suitable for phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203, specifically targeting software exploitation through memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected RealPlayer versions, as RealNetworks released security updates addressing the specific heap overflow condition in their SIPR codec processing. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as content filtering to block potentially malicious media files, particularly those containing SIPR codec data. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted media files and should maintain updated security software with real-time protection capabilities. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media players or implement sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in multimedia codec implementations, emphasizing the need for robust security practices in media processing libraries that handle user-supplied data.