CVE-2012-3056 in WebEx Recording Format Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Cisco WebEx Recording Format (WRF) player T27 L through SP11 EP26, T27 LB through SP21 EP10, T27 LC before SP25 EP11, T27 LD before SP32 CP2, and T28 L10N before SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted WRF file, aka Bug ID CSCtz72946.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3056 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Cisco WebEx Recording Format player software across multiple version ranges including T27 L through SP11 EP26, T27 LB through SP21 EP10, T27 LC before SP25 EP11, T27 LD before SP32 CP2, and T28 L10N before SP1. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of WRF files, which are used to store and playback Cisco WebEx recordings. The flaw resides in the parsing logic of the WRF player component that fails to properly validate input data length before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability enables remote code execution or denial of service through manipulation of WRF file structures, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebEx is widely deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory allocation during WRF file processing where the application does not adequately verify the size of incoming data before copying it into predetermined memory buffers. Attackers can craft malicious WRF files that contain oversized data structures or malformed headers that trigger buffer overflow conditions when processed by the vulnerable player. When the application attempts to copy data into insufficiently sized buffers, adjacent memory locations become overwritten, potentially corrupting program execution flow, stack pointers, or return addresses. This memory corruption can be exploited to redirect program execution to attacker-controlled code, or alternatively cause the application to crash and result in denial of service. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple product versions and release channels, indicating a systemic flaw in the parsing implementation rather than an isolated incident.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3056 extends beyond simple exploitation as it affects organizations relying on Cisco WebEx for collaboration and training purposes. Enterprises utilizing WebEx Recording Format player for educational content, corporate meetings, or remote collaboration may experience service disruption when malicious WRF files are encountered, potentially leading to complete system unavailability. The remote execution capability means attackers can exploit this vulnerability without physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. The vulnerability affects both Windows and Linux platforms where Cisco WebEx player is installed, providing attackers with multiple attack vectors. Organizations with extensive WebEx deployments face significant risk as a single compromised WRF file could potentially affect numerous endpoints simultaneously, creating cascading denial of service conditions or unauthorized code execution across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3056 should focus on immediate patching of affected Cisco WebEx player versions, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should implement network segmentation and file validation controls to prevent unauthorized WRF files from reaching end-user systems, utilizing content filtering solutions and sandboxing techniques to analyze suspicious files before execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499 for network denial of service, highlighting the potential for both code execution and service disruption. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, looking for patterns consistent with WRF file processing attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for WebEx player installations and regularly updating security patches will reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider disabling WRF file processing capabilities in environments where the risk cannot be immediately mitigated through patching, while maintaining awareness of the vulnerability through security bulletins and threat intelligence feeds.