CVE-2010-4391 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and RealPlayer Enterprise 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted value in an unspecified header field in an RMX file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4391 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software. This vulnerability exists within the media player's handling of RMX file format headers, specifically when processing crafted values in unspecified header fields. The affected versions include RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and RealPlayer Enterprise 2.1.2 and 2.1.3, making it a widespread issue across RealNetworks' product lineage. The vulnerability's classification as heap-based indicates that memory allocation occurs on the heap rather than the stack, which typically provides attackers with more sophisticated exploitation opportunities due to the nature of heap memory management and potential for controlled memory corruption.
The technical flaw manifests when RealPlayer processes RMX files containing maliciously crafted header values that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. This overflow occurs within the application's media parsing routines where insufficient input validation and bounds checking allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The heap-based nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can potentially manipulate heap metadata, leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running RealPlayer. The unspecified header field in RMX files serves as the attack vector, where an attacker can craft a malicious file that triggers the buffer overflow during normal media playback operations.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant remote code execution risk that can be exploited through social engineering attacks targeting unsuspecting users. Attackers can distribute malicious RMX files via email attachments, compromised websites, or peer-to-peer networks, making the attack surface extremely broad. When a user opens the malicious file with an affected RealPlayer version, the buffer overflow occurs during file parsing, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. The exploitation requires no special privileges beyond user-level access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by simply opening a malicious file. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), where attackers leverage client-side vulnerabilities to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to victim systems. The vulnerability's presence in enterprise versions of RealPlayer makes it particularly concerning for organizations that may have legacy systems running these affected versions. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous other contexts throughout the security landscape. The remediation approach involves immediate patching of affected software versions, along with network-based mitigations such as blocking RMX file extensions at network boundaries. Organizations should also implement user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could deliver these malicious files, as the vulnerability's exploitation relies heavily on user interaction with crafted media files.