CVE-2011-4261 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
RealNetworks RealPlayer before 15.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via crafted video dimensions in an MP4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4261 represents a critical heap memory corruption flaw within RealNetworks RealPlayer software versions prior to 15.0.0. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of video dimensions within MP4 file formats, creating a pathway for remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions. The flaw exists in the media player's parsing mechanism for multimedia content, particularly when processing malformed video parameters that exceed expected memory boundaries. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of memory safety issues commonly classified as heap overflow conditions, which can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially gain unauthorized system control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within RealPlayer's MP4 file parser. When the software encounters an MP4 file containing crafted video dimensions that exceed allocated memory buffers, the application fails to properly handle the overflow condition. This improper memory management creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures through carefully constructed malicious media files. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the player attempts to process video resolution parameters that are either excessively large or contain malformed data structures. The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who may inadvertently encounter malicious MP4 files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised media hosting sites. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access untrusted media content. The potential for arbitrary code execution allows attackers to install malware, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges on compromised systems. Additionally, the denial of service component can be leveraged to disrupt legitimate media playback operations, potentially causing widespread disruption in environments heavily reliant on RealPlayer for multimedia content delivery.
Organizations and individuals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including immediate patching of RealPlayer installations to version 15.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary memory validation fixes. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to block suspicious MP4 files, particularly those from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in multimedia applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. System hardening measures including application whitelisting, user privilege restrictions, and regular security updates should be enforced to minimize exposure. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual media file processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls around multimedia content handling, particularly in environments where users may encounter unverified media files from external sources.