CVE-2014-2136 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, aka Bug IDs CSCui72223, CSCul01163, and CSCul01166.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2136 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Cisco's Advanced Recording Format ARF player software, specifically affecting versions prior to SP32 EP16 for T27, T28 before T28.12, and T29 before T29.2. This security weakness resides in the handling of maliciously crafted .arf files, which are multimedia recording formats used for storing voice and video communications. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially constructed ARF files without proper input validation, creating a condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations through excessive data input. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This particular implementation flaw affects Cisco's unified communications infrastructure, particularly in environments where ARF files are processed automatically or when users unknowingly open maliciously crafted recordings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses or function pointers stored in memory, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The memory corruption resulting from this flaw can cause unpredictable application behavior including crashes, system instability, or even privilege escalation depending on the execution context. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability in various attack scenarios including phishing campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious .arf files, or through targeted attacks against vulnerable communication systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where communication systems are exposed to external threats.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2014-2136 requires attackers to craft specific ARF files that contain malicious data structures designed to trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal playback operations. This type of attack aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services through crafted input data, and T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through compromised applications. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices within the ARF player's parsing routines, where the application fails to properly check the length of data structures before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations using Cisco communication systems should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where legacy systems may be running unpatched software versions. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise voice and video communication platforms where ARF files are commonly used for call recording and archiving purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2136 should include immediate deployment of Cisco's security patches and updates, particularly those addressing the specific versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems and consider disabling automatic playback of .arf files in potentially compromised environments. The principle of least privilege should be enforced when running ARF player applications, limiting their access to system resources and preventing potential privilege escalation attacks. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious .arf file traffic, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable components within the unified communications infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of only trusted ARF player versions and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect anomalous behavior associated with memory corruption events. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for communication infrastructure components, as outdated software versions often represent the most common attack vectors in enterprise environments.