CVE-2012-0926 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
The RV10 codec in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.x, 14.x, and 15.x before 15.02.71, and RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, does not properly handle height and width values, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted RV10 RealVideo video stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0926 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the RV10 codec implementation of RealNetworks RealPlayer software across multiple versions. This weakness specifically manifests when the media player processes height and width parameters within RV10 RealVideo streams, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities. The vulnerability affects widely deployed versions of RealPlayer including 11.x, 14.x, and 15.x series prior to version 15.02.71, as well as RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, making it particularly concerning for enterprise and consumer environments that may still be running these older software versions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper validation and handling of dimension parameters within the RV10 codec parser. When a maliciously crafted video stream contains manipulated height and width values, the RealPlayer application fails to properly bounds-check these parameters before using them to allocate memory or process video frames. This inadequate input validation creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to stack corruption or heap-based buffer overflows. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, addressing heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, both of which are common attack vectors in multimedia processing applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Remote exploitation requires only the delivery of a specially crafted video file to a victim's system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks or social engineering campaigns. Once successfully exploited, attackers could potentially install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the victim's environment. The vulnerability's remote nature and the widespread use of RealPlayer across different platforms make it an attractive target for cybercriminals and nation-state actors seeking to leverage low-hanging fruit in legacy systems. Organizations using RealPlayer in enterprise environments face particular risk as these applications often run with elevated privileges and may be accessed through corporate networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0926 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by RealNetworks, specifically targeting the affected versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should implement network-based restrictions to prevent playback of untrusted video content and consider deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious RealVideo streams. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage, highlighting the potential for post-exploitation activities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of RealPlayer unless absolutely necessary, and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially unpatched multimedia applications that may present similar risks. Additionally, users should be educated about the dangers of opening video content from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping multimedia software updated to protect against such vulnerabilities.