CVE-2011-4246 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
The AAC codec in RealNetworks RealPlayer before 15.0.0 and Mac RealPlayer before 12.0.0.1703 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4246 represents a critical security flaw within the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) codec implementation in RealNetworks RealPlayer software across multiple platforms. This vulnerability affects both Windows and Mac operating systems with specific version constraints where RealPlayer versions prior to 15.0.0 and Mac RealPlayer versions prior to 12.0.0.1703 are deemed susceptible. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that exploit memory corruption issues within the audio processing pipeline, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to gain unauthorized system control or disrupt service availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of AAC audio data structures during decoding processes. When RealPlayer encounters specially crafted malicious AAC content, the codec implementation fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This memory manipulation can result in arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory locations are subsequently accessed by the application's execution flow. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. These weaknesses create opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution through carefully constructed malicious media files that exploit the codec's input validation gaps.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4246 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, potentially gaining complete control over affected machines. This represents a significant threat in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly download and play malicious media content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Additionally, the memory corruption aspects can lead to system instability, application crashes, and denial of service conditions that can disrupt legitimate user activities and business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment to update RealPlayer installations to versions that address the memory corruption issues within the AAC codec implementation. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected RealPlayer installations across their networks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted media content. Network security controls should include content filtering mechanisms that can detect and block potentially malicious media files before they reach end-user systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular scanning for outdated media players and automated patch deployment systems. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions as a primary defense mechanism. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to scan media files for potential malicious content before execution.