CVE-2010-3269 in Webex Advanced Recording Format Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based 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 execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .wrf or (2) .arf file, related to use of a function pointer in a callback mechanism.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3269 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting Cisco WebEx Recording Format and Advanced Recording Format players. This flaw exists within the T27LB component before SP21 EP3 and T27LC component before SP22, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Cisco WebEx collaboration platforms. The vulnerability specifically targets the callback mechanism implementation where function pointers are utilized, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through crafted malicious files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the callback mechanism within the WRF and ARF player implementations. When these players process specially crafted .wrf or .arf files, the flawed function pointer handling triggers a stack-based buffer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated bounds. The buffer overflow occurs in the context of a callback function pointer mechanism, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional input validation approaches.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious .wrf or .arf files that contain malicious data structures designed to overflow the stack buffer when processed by the vulnerable player components. The exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the affected software, potentially allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where collaboration tools like WebEx are extensively used, as it can be triggered through email attachments or file downloads from untrusted sources. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that these players are often integrated into various business applications and services, increasing the potential impact.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader security implications for enterprise networks. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive business data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making it a particularly attractive target for cybercriminals. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic, as the exploitation often involves manipulating the callback mechanisms and function pointers to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3269 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Cisco. Organizations should prioritize applying the security patches released for T27LB SP21 EP3 and T27LC SP22 versions to address the root cause of the buffer overflow. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing file type restrictions and content filtering for .wrf and .arf files can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around function pointer handling and buffer management, which should be reinforced through security awareness training for developers and system administrators.