CVE-2016-1464 in WebEx Meetings Player
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco WebEx Meetings Player T29.10, when WRF file support is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file, aka Bug ID CSCva09375.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1464 affects Cisco WebEx Meetings Player version T29.10 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that can be exploited through the handling of specially crafted WRF files. This vulnerability resides within the multimedia processing capabilities of the WebEx player application, specifically when WRF file support is enabled, creating a dangerous attack surface that adversaries can leverage to gain unauthorized system access. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the file parsing mechanism, allowing malicious actors to construct WRF files that trigger buffer overflow conditions during processing. According to the Cisco Security Advisory, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be delivered through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making it highly accessible to threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario within the WRF file parser component of the WebEx Meetings Player. When the application processes a maliciously crafted WRF file, the parser fails to properly validate the file structure and size constraints, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical program execution flow. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. Attackers can manipulate the file format to inject malicious code that executes within the context of the running application, potentially allowing for privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because WRF files are commonly used for sharing meeting content and presentations, making them a trusted file type that users are likely to open without suspicion. This creates a significant social engineering opportunity for attackers who can craft convincing malicious presentations that appear legitimate to end users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise environments where WebEx Meetings Player is widely deployed, as it can be exploited to gain persistent access to corporate networks. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can establish backdoors, install additional malware, or exfiltrate sensitive data without requiring physical access to target systems. The vulnerability affects organizations across multiple sectors including finance, healthcare, and government, where the exposure of sensitive meeting content or system compromise could result in significant financial loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. Organizations may also face compliance issues with standards such as iso 27001 and pci dss if the vulnerability leads to unauthorized access or data breaches. The attack can be automated and scaled, potentially affecting thousands of users simultaneously through mass email campaigns or compromised web portals, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to organized threat groups.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1464 should include immediate patch deployment from Cisco, which provides a security fix that addresses the buffer overflow conditions in the WRF file parser. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation and deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized code. Security teams should monitor network traffic for suspicious file download patterns and implement email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious WRF attachments. According to the mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability maps to the execution tactic with techniques such as legitimate program execution and command and script interpreter, while also supporting the privilege escalation and persistence phases of the attack lifecycle. Organizations should also consider disabling WRF file support entirely if the functionality is not required, as this eliminates the attack surface associated with the vulnerable component. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other media processing applications, as this class of vulnerability is prevalent in multimedia and document processing software. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in multimedia applications, particularly those handling user-supplied content.