CVE-2010-4394 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1 and RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5 allows remote web servers to execute arbitrary code via a long Server header in a response to an HTTP request that occurs during parsing of a RealPix file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4394 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting RealNetworks RealPlayer versions 11.0 through 11.1 and RealPlayer SP versions 1.0 through 1.1.5. This flaw exists within the media player's handling of RealPix file formats, which are used to deliver multimedia content through web servers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing process of these specific file types, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered remotely by malicious web servers. The attack vector specifically involves a maliciously crafted Server header in HTTP responses that occurs during the processing of RealPix files, making this a sophisticated remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without user interaction beyond normal web browsing activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the heap memory management of RealPlayer's RealPix file parser, where the application fails to properly validate the length of data contained within the Server header field of HTTP responses. When a web server responds to an HTTP request with a Server header exceeding the allocated buffer size, the application's memory management routines overflow into adjacent heap memory regions, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations or inject malicious code. This heap-based overflow directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite heap memory, and may also align with CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes to heap-based buffers. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable remote code execution through the compromised media player application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure and individual users alike. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems by executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running RealPlayer, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistent access. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or downloading content from compromised servers, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access external web resources. Organizations using affected RealPlayer versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized system access, and the possibility of malware deployment through this vector. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond normal web browsing, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4394 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates from RealNetworks, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific heap overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-level controls to block access to known malicious domains and monitor for unusual HTTP Server header patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider disabling RealPlayer or removing it entirely from systems where it is not absolutely required, particularly in high-security environments. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed Server headers, deploying endpoint protection solutions with real-time monitoring capabilities, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the software. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping multimedia applications updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against remote code execution vulnerabilities that can be exploited through web-based attack vectors.