CVE-2011-4258 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
RealNetworks RealPlayer before 15.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted length of an MLTI chunk in an IVR file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4258 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within RealNetworks RealPlayer software versions prior to 15.0.0. This security issue specifically targets the handling of multimedia file structures, particularly the MLTI chunk within IVR file formats. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during the parsing of multimedia container files, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when RealPlayer processes an IVR file containing a specially crafted MLTI chunk with an oversized or malformed length field. The software fails to properly validate the chunk length parameter before attempting to allocate memory or process the subsequent data payload. This inadequate validation allows an attacker to manipulate the memory allocation process, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption that can be exploited to inject and execute malicious code. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or user interaction beyond the mere opening of the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing or drive-by download scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4258 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system files, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects a wide range of operating systems including windows platforms where RealPlayer is installed, making it a significant threat vector for enterprise environments. The lack of user interaction requirements means that simply opening a malicious IVR file can result in complete system compromise, as demonstrated by various exploit kits and malware campaigns that have targeted similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in multimedia players.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of RealPlayer installations to version 15.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary memory validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network-based restrictions to block access to known malicious IVR files and monitor for suspicious file downloads or executions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution. Additional defensive measures include deploying application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted multimedia files, implementing sandboxing for multimedia processing, and conducting regular security assessments to identify other potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities in multimedia frameworks. System administrators should also consider network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.