CVE-2012-0928 in RealPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
The ATRAC codec in RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.x and 14.x through 14.0.7, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and Mac RealPlayer 12.x before 12.0.0.1703 does not properly decode samples, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ATRAC audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0928 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ATRAC audio codec implementation of multiple RealNetworks RealPlayer versions. This issue affects desktop and mobile platforms including Windows and macOS operating systems, with specific impacted versions spanning RealPlayer 11.x through 14.0.7, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, and Mac RealPlayer 12.x before 12.0.0.1703. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and boundary checking during the decoding process of ATRAC audio files, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted audio samples can trigger unauthorized code execution.
The technical flaw manifests when the ATRAC codec processes specially constructed audio files that contain malformed data structures. During normal operation, the codec expects audio samples to conform to specific format specifications, but the vulnerable implementation fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data. This deficiency allows attackers to craft audio files with oversized or malformed sample data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption. The overflow occurs within the audio decoding pipeline where the codec attempts to copy or process audio data without adequate bounds checking, enabling attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious instructions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant remote code execution risk that can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious audio file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses conditions where insufficient bounds checking leads to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
The impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, as attackers can leverage the overflow to inject and execute arbitrary malicious code with the privileges of the RealPlayer process. This could result in unauthorized data access, system takeover, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users who rely on RealPlayer for media consumption, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking broad impact. Organizations and individuals using affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including software updates, network segmentation, and user education to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in multimedia codecs, as similar issues have been identified in other audio and video processing libraries, emphasizing the need for robust security practices in media handling components.