CVE-2010-4376 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.1, Mac RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, and Linux RealPlayer 11.0.2.1744 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large Screen Width value in the Screen Descriptor header of a GIF87a file in an RTSP stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4376 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software across different operating systems. This flaw exists within the handling of GIF87a image files embedded within RTSP streams, specifically when processing the Screen Descriptor header field. The vulnerability manifests when the application encounters a malformed Screen Width value that exceeds the allocated buffer size, creating conditions for memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers. The affected versions include RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.1, Mac RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, and Linux RealPlayer 11.0.2.1744, indicating a widespread impact across the RealPlayer product line. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a common weakness in software security implementations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when RealPlayer processes an RTSP stream containing a specially crafted GIF87a file with an oversized Screen Width value in its header. The application fails to properly validate the input data before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. When the Screen Width value exceeds the buffer boundaries, adjacent memory locations become overwritten, potentially corrupting critical program data structures or execution pointers. Attackers can leverage this condition to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application, effectively gaining control over the target system. The RTSP streaming protocol provides a convenient delivery mechanism for this attack since it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious stream. This attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4376 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations utilizing RealPlayer for multimedia content delivery face potential compromise through this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted RTSP streams or web content containing malicious GIF files. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems without physical access or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the affected systems. The widespread adoption of RealPlayer across different platforms increases the potential attack surface, as the vulnerability affects both Windows and Mac operating systems. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of their overall threat landscape, particularly in environments where multimedia content is frequently accessed through streaming protocols. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow also means that it may be susceptible to exploitation techniques such as stack smashing or memory corruption attacks, potentially leading to more sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching affected systems, network segmentation to prevent unauthorized RTSP stream access, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.