CVE-2012-0924 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.x, 14.x, and 15.x before 15.02.71, and RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a VIDOBJ_START_CODE code in a header within a video stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0924 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple versions of RealNetworks RealPlayer software. This issue specifically targets RealPlayer versions 11.x, 14.x, and 15.x prior to 15.02.71, as well as RealPlayer SP versions 1.0 through 1.1.5. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of video stream headers containing a VIDOBJ_START_CODE code, which creates a dangerous execution path for malicious actors. The flaw exists within the media parsing logic that processes video content, particularly when encountering malformed or specially crafted video streams that exploit buffer management issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when RealPlayer processes video headers containing the VIDOBJ_START_CODE identifier. This code sequence within the video stream header triggers an improper memory allocation or manipulation within the player's decoding engine. The flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where attacker-controlled data is copied into a fixed-length buffer without proper bounds checking. When the player encounters a specially crafted video stream with this specific code pattern, it executes code that can overwrite memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially allowing remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple media playback disruption, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. An attacker could craft malicious video content that, when played through the vulnerable RealPlayer versions, would trigger the buffer overflow condition and subsequently execute malicious payload code. This scenario enables remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the RealPlayer application, which typically runs with standard user privileges but could potentially escalate to system-level access depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can deliver malicious content through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or streaming services without requiring user interaction beyond opening the media file.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses any system running the affected RealPlayer versions, making it a widespread concern for organizations and individual users alike. According to ATT&CK framework category T1203, this vulnerability represents a remote access threat that could be leveraged for initial compromise, while T1068 identifies the privilege escalation potential that may arise from successful exploitation. The vulnerability's characteristics align with T1133 which covers client-side attacks through media players, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns or malicious website content delivery. Security professionals should note that the affected versions of RealPlayer were widely distributed and used across multiple platforms, increasing the potential attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0924 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems with the latest RealPlayer releases that contain the necessary security fixes, particularly version 15.02.71 and later. Additionally, network administrators should implement content filtering measures to block suspicious video content and consider disabling RealPlayer functionality in enterprise environments where it is not strictly required. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in media processing applications, as highlighted by CWE-125 which addresses out-of-bounds reads that can lead to similar exploitation patterns. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual network traffic patterns related to media file downloads or streaming activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of media player installations and user education regarding the risks of opening unknown video content can further reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.