CVE-2010-3225 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the Media Player Network Sharing Service in Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 and SP2 and Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) packet, aka "RTSP Use After Free Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The CVE-2010-3225 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Microsoft Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, affecting Windows Vista SP1 and SP2 as well as Windows 7 systems. This vulnerability arises from improper memory management within the RTSP processing component of the media player service, creating a condition where freed memory blocks are still accessed by subsequent operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the service processes maliciously crafted RTSP packets, which are commonly used for streaming media content over networks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially constructed RTSP requests to a target system, triggering the vulnerable code path that leads to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a serious memory safety issue in software development. The vulnerability enables remote code execution with the privileges of the user account running the Media Player Network Sharing Service, typically with SYSTEM-level privileges on Windows systems. This use-after-free condition occurs when the application allocates memory for RTSP packet processing, frees that memory block, but continues to reference the freed memory location in subsequent operations. The attacker-controlled RTSP packet can manipulate the memory layout to overwrite critical data structures or function pointers, ultimately allowing for code execution within the target process. The attack vector requires network connectivity and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where media sharing services may be exposed to external networks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Windows systems with media sharing capabilities enabled. The Media Player Network Sharing Service is often active on systems where users may not be aware of its presence, creating an unexpected attack surface. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where Windows systems may be exposed to internet-facing services. Network security teams must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat, especially in environments where media sharing services are enabled or where legacy systems may be running without proper security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3225 primarily focus on applying Microsoft security patches, specifically the update released as part of Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-054. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Windows systems, particularly those with Media Player Network Sharing Service enabled. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help reduce exposure by blocking RTSP traffic (port 554) from untrusted networks. Disabling the Media Player Network Sharing Service through Group Policy or registry modifications provides an additional layer of defense, though this may impact legitimate media sharing functionality. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious RTSP packet patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with enabling unnecessary services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution through network-based attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for enabled media sharing services to prevent exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other Microsoft components.