CVE-2010-4390 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and Linux RealPlayer 11.0.2.1744 allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a crafted header in an IVR file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4390 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow issue affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software across different platforms. This flaw exists within the media player's handling of IVR file formats, which are used for streaming audio and video content. The vulnerability affects RealPlayer versions 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP versions 1.0 through 1.1.5, and Linux RealPlayer version 11.0.2.1744, indicating a widespread impact across the RealNetworks product line. The issue stems from inadequate input validation when processing crafted headers within IVR files, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves heap-based buffer overflows that occur when the RealPlayer application processes malformed header data within IVR files. These buffer overflows are particularly dangerous because they occur in the heap memory management area, where attackers can manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which represents a common and severe class of memory corruption vulnerabilities. When an attacker crafts a malicious IVR file with oversized or malformed headers, the application's parsing routine fails to properly validate the input size, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4390 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a significant threat to system security and user safety. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable RealPlayer versions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be exploited without their knowledge simply by opening or previewing a maliciously crafted IVR file, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download or receive media content from untrusted sources. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description indicates that the vulnerability could potentially lead to various security consequences including privilege escalation, denial of service, or complete system takeover, depending on the execution environment and attack vector used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4390 should focus on immediate remediation through official security updates from RealNetworks, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software requiring comprehensive patch management. System administrators should implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent unauthorized IVR file downloads, while users should be educated about the dangers of opening untrusted media files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through client-side exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable RealPlayer versions and monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns associated with IVR file delivery. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar heap-based buffer overflow issues in other media player applications and multimedia frameworks.