CVE-2011-4249 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Array index error in the RV30 codec in RealNetworks RealPlayer before 15.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2021
The CVE-2011-4249 vulnerability represents a critical array index error within the RV30 codec implementation in RealNetworks RealPlayer software versions prior to 15.0.0. This flaw exists at the core of how the media player processes video streams encoded with the RV30 codec, which is a proprietary video compression format developed by RealNetworks. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate array indices during the decoding process, creating a potential pathway for malicious code execution. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that should have prevented unauthorized memory access patterns during video frame processing. Security researchers identified this weakness through extensive code analysis and fuzzing techniques that revealed the codec's susceptibility to malformed input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts specially designed media content that triggers the flawed array indexing logic within the RV30 decoder. When the vulnerable RealPlayer application attempts to decode such malicious content, the improper index validation allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses issues related to insufficient input validation and improper bounds checking in array operations. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with stack-based buffer overflows and memory corruption attacks, where attackers can manipulate program execution flow through carefully crafted input data. The exploitability of this vulnerability is significantly enhanced because it can be triggered remotely through web-based media content without requiring user interaction beyond viewing the malicious media file.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4249 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to full system control, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users who rely on RealPlayer for multimedia content consumption, particularly those who frequently access web-based video content or download media files from untrusted sources. Organizations running older versions of RealPlayer software face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or peer-to-peer file sharing networks. This flaw represents a substantial concern for enterprise security teams due to the widespread deployment of RealPlayer across corporate environments and the difficulty of maintaining updated media player software in legacy systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4249 should focus on immediate software updates and proactive security measures to protect against exploitation attempts. The primary and most effective mitigation involves upgrading to RealPlayer version 15.0.0 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the array index validation issues within the RV30 codec. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as this vulnerability has been widely exploited in the wild since its disclosure. Network-level defenses can include content filtering solutions that block known malicious media files or restrict access to untrusted media sources. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of older RealPlayer versions and deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and script interpreter, as exploitation typically involves execution of malicious code through compromised media player processes. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments of multimedia handling components and implementation of sandboxing techniques to isolate media processing functions from core system operations.