CVE-2010-4396 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-zone scripting vulnerability in the HandleAction method in a certain ActiveX control in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and RealPlayer Enterprise 2.1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML in the Local Zone by specifying a local file in a NavigateToURL action, as demonstrated by a local skin file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4396 represents a critical cross-zone scripting flaw within RealNetworks RealPlayer software ecosystem. This security weakness exists in the HandleAction method of a specific ActiveX control that is embedded within various versions of RealPlayer including the standard 11.0 through 11.1 releases, the SP 1.0 through 1.1.5 variants, and the Enterprise 2.1.2 edition. The flaw specifically enables malicious actors to bypass security boundaries that normally separate different trust zones within web browsers and media players. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how ActiveX controls can be exploited to create dangerous cross-zone scripting conditions that compromise the security model of the affected software platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of NavigateToURL actions within the RealPlayer application's processing pipeline. When a malicious attacker crafts a specially designed local file reference within a NavigateToURL action, the vulnerable ActiveX control fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before executing the navigation operation. This allows arbitrary web script or HTML content to be injected into the Local Zone context, effectively breaking the security isolation that should normally prevent local file access from being escalated to remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate file navigation mechanisms to achieve unauthorized code injection, making detection and prevention more challenging for security systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4396 extends beyond simple cross-site scripting attacks, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute malicious code within the context of the user's local zone. This capability allows for the exploitation of local system resources, potential privilege escalation, and the execution of arbitrary commands on the victim's machine. The demonstration using local skin files shows how attackers can leverage the vulnerability to load malicious content that appears to be legitimate local resources, thereby bypassing standard security mechanisms that would normally block external content. This vulnerability essentially allows attackers to perform malicious actions that would typically require elevated privileges or direct system access, making it a significant threat to user security and system integrity.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how ActiveX controls can be exploited to create dangerous security boundaries that allow attackers to move laterally within a system. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, updating to patched versions of RealPlayer software, and implementing network-level restrictions that prevent access to potentially malicious content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust zone isolation mechanisms in multimedia applications that handle user-provided content.