CVE-2014-2133 in WebEx Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Cisco Advanced Recording Format (ARF) player T27 LD before SP32 EP16, T28 before T28.12, and T29 before T29.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted .arf file that triggers improper LZW decompression, aka Bug ID CSCuj87565.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2133 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Cisco Advanced Recording Format ARF player software, specifically affecting versions prior to SP32 EP16 for T27 LD, T28 before T28.12, and T29 before T29.2. This security weakness resides in the LZW decompression implementation that processes .arf files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through maliciously crafted archive files. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software input validation and memory management, where insufficient bounds checking during decompression operations leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution or system disruption. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program exploitation through memory corruption.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves crafting a specially formatted .arf file that contains malformed LZW compressed data which, when processed by the vulnerable ARF player, triggers the buffer overflow condition. During the decompression process, the software fails to properly validate the size of data being written to allocated buffers, allowing attackers to exceed the intended buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution when the overflow overwrites return addresses or function pointers within the program's execution stack, or cause denial of service when the corruption leads to application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious .arf files through various network-based attack vectors without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable ARF player software, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system takeover, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The affected software platforms typically serve enterprise environments where ARF files are commonly used for recording and playback of audio content, making these systems attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access within network environments. Organizations using Cisco ARF player software in their communication infrastructure face significant risk, particularly in environments where untrusted .arf files might be processed through automated systems or where users have the ability to download and open files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2133 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by Cisco to address the buffer overflow conditions in affected versions. Organizations must implement strict file validation policies that prevent processing of untrusted .arf files, particularly those received through email attachments, web downloads, or file transfer protocols. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual file processing activities or application crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of only verified, patched versions of the ARF player software. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar flaws in legacy software components. Organizations should also ensure proper incident response procedures are in place to handle potential exploitation attempts, including forensic analysis capabilities to determine if systems have been compromised through this vulnerability.