CVE-2010-4397 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the pnen3260.dll module 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 crafted TIT2 atom in an AAC file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4397 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the pnen3260.dll module of multiple RealNetworks RealPlayer versions across different platforms. This issue affects 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, creating a significant attack surface for remote code execution. The flaw specifically manifests when processing a crafted TIT2 atom within an Advanced Audio Coding format file, demonstrating the dangerous intersection of multimedia processing and memory safety vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs during the parsing of metadata within AAC audio files. When the pnen3260.dll module encounters a specially crafted TIT2 atom, it fails to properly validate the size parameter, leading to an integer overflow that can result in memory corruption. This overflow condition allows attackers to manipulate the memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures or execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability falls under CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has historically been exploited for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to users of RealPlayer across multiple operating systems, as it enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted media files. Attackers can leverage this flaw by distributing specially crafted AAC files that contain the malformed TIT2 atom, allowing them to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring user interaction beyond playing the media file. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation as the vulnerability affects multiple platform variants, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that deploy RealPlayer across heterogeneous environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the vulnerable media player application.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4397 require immediate action from affected organizations, including prompt patching of all vulnerable RealPlayer installations across all supported platforms. System administrators should implement network-based restrictions to prevent the execution of potentially malicious media files, particularly those originating from untrusted sources. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling RealPlayer functionality or implementing sandboxing measures for media processing to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in multimedia processing libraries, as highlighted by industry best practices in secure coding standards. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other multimedia applications and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.