CVE-2010-2997 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.0.1, Mac RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, Linux RealPlayer 11.0.2.1744, and possibly HelixPlayer 1.0.6 and other versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via a crafted StreamTitle tag in an ICY SHOUTcast stream, related to the SMIL file format.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2997 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer across different platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacts RealPlayer versions 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.0.1, and various Mac and Linux variants, making it particularly widespread in the media player ecosystem. The flaw is classified under CWE-416 which defines use-after-free conditions as a common vulnerability pattern where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating opportunities for exploitation.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of StreamTitle tags within ICY SHOUTcast streams that utilize the SMIL file format. When a maliciously crafted SHOUTcast stream is processed by the vulnerable RealPlayer software, the application fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation for SMIL file elements. This memory management failure occurs during the parsing of StreamTitle metadata, where the application attempts to access memory that has already been released, leading to heap memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through network-based media streams without requiring user interaction or specific local conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to include full arbitrary code execution capabilities, making it a severe security risk for affected systems. Attackers can leverage this use-after-free condition to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the RealPlayer process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The heap memory corruption that occurs provides attackers with opportunities to manipulate program execution flow, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through media player exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2997 require immediate patching of all affected RealPlayer versions, with administrators prioritizing updates from RealNetworks to address the underlying memory management issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to media streaming services and consider disabling RealPlayer functionality in enterprise environments where the software is not essential. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious SHOUTcast stream traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory management practices in media processing applications and highlights the need for regular security updates, particularly for widely deployed media players that handle untrusted content from network sources. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable RealPlayer versions and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts in their network traffic logs.