CVE-2011-2949 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1 and 14.0.0 through 14.0.5, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and RealPlayer Enterprise 2.0 through 2.1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted ID3v2 tags in an MP3 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2011-2949 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software across different product lines including the standard RealPlayer, RealPlayer SP, and RealPlayer Enterprise editions. This flaw exists in versions 11.0 through 11.1, 14.0.0 through 14.0.5, 1.0 through 1.1.5 for the SP version, and 2.0 through 2.1.5 for the Enterprise version, creating a widespread attack surface that could potentially compromise a large number of systems running these media players. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of ID3v2 metadata tags within MP3 audio files, which are commonly used to store album art, track information, and other descriptive data associated with audio content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when RealPlayer processes an MP3 file containing specially crafted ID3v2 tags that exceed the allocated buffer space in memory. This heap-based buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the ID3v2 tag parsing routine, where the software fails to properly verify the length of metadata fields before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which directly maps to the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1547.001 for registry run keys. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple media file playback, requiring no special privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2949 extends far beyond individual user systems, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where RealPlayer is commonly deployed for multimedia content delivery. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by distributing malicious MP3 files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised media streaming services. Once executed, the malicious code could establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data from affected systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users need not interact with the malicious content directly for the attack to succeed, as simply opening the infected MP3 file in RealPlayer could trigger the buffer overflow and allow remote code execution. Organizations running affected versions of RealPlayer face substantial risk of compromise, particularly in environments where users regularly access untrusted audio content or where the software is automatically installed as part of enterprise media solutions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2949 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from RealNetworks, as the vendor has released updates addressing the heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement network-based controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent execution of potentially malicious MP3 files, particularly in enterprise environments where the software is widely used. Additional defensive measures include disabling automatic media player execution, implementing strict file type validation for audio content, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious file transfers. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block exploitation attempts, as well as conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running outdated versions of RealPlayer. The ATT&CK framework recommends implementing process monitoring and behavioral analysis to detect anomalous execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while organizations should also maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to track related attack campaigns targeting this specific vulnerability.