CVE-2010-3041 in Webex Advanced Recording Format Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the Cisco WebEx Recording Format (WRF) and Advanced Recording Format (ARF) Players T27LB before SP21 EP3 and T27LC before SP22 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .wrf or (2) .arf file, related to atas32.dll, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-3042, CVE-2010-3043, and CVE-2010-3044.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3041 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting Cisco WebEx Recording Format and Advanced Recording Format players. This flaw specifically impacts the T27LB before SP21 EP3 and T27LC before SP22 versions of the software, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Cisco WebEx collaboration platforms. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation within the atas32.dll library, which serves as a core component in processing WRF and ARF multimedia files. These file formats are commonly used for recording and sharing web meetings, making the attack vector particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such recordings are frequently shared and accessed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits buffer overflow conditions that occur when the affected players process malformed WRF and ARF files. Attackers can craft specially designed files that trigger memory corruption within the atas32.dll module, leading to unpredictable application behavior. The flaw operates at the memory management level where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially causing application crashes or more severe consequences. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient space is allocated for data storage, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The buffer overflow conditions can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability that could enable full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3041 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable remote code execution capabilities. Organizations utilizing Cisco WebEx for business communications face significant risk when exposed to this vulnerability, as attackers could exploit it to gain unauthorized access to systems through malicious file attachments. The vulnerability affects the core playback functionality of Cisco WebEx, meaning that any user who opens a crafted file could be compromised. This creates a substantial risk for enterprise environments where WebEx recordings are shared across departments and with external partners. The attack surface is particularly broad given that WRF and ARF files are commonly used for business presentations, training materials, and collaborative meetings, making them prime targets for social engineering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3041 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco WebEx players to the latest security updates. Organizations must ensure all users have updated to versions that include fixes for the atas32.dll buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and file validation measures should be implemented to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious WRF and ARF files. Security teams should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file access patterns and implement strict access controls for WebEx-related applications. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying file sources before opening any WebEx recording files. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches, as the affected versions represent outdated software that lacks modern security protections. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of only trusted WebEx player versions, thereby reducing the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in the future.