CVE-2017-12368 in WebEx Network Recording Player
Summary
by MITRE
A "Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player Remote Code Execution Vulnerability" exists in Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player for Advanced Recording Format (ARF) and WebEx Recording Format (WRF) files. A remote attacker could exploit this by providing a user with a malicious ARF or WRF file via email or URL and convincing the user to launch the file. Exploitation of this could cause an affected player to crash and, in some cases, could allow arbitrary code execution on the system of a targeted user. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve10584, CSCve10591, CSCve11503, CSCve10658, CSCve11507, CSCve10749, CSCve10744, CSCve11532, CSCve10762, CSCve10764, CSCve11538.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12368 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player software that affects both Advanced Recording Format (ARF) and WebEx Recording Format (WRF) file handling capabilities. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the player application's processing routines for multimedia recording files. The flaw allows malicious actors to craft specially crafted ARF or WRF files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, can trigger unauthorized code execution on the target system. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player that fail to properly validate file structures and content before processing, creating a pathway for arbitrary code injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages social engineering techniques to deliver malicious recording files to targeted users. Attackers can distribute these crafted files via email attachments or malicious URLs, where users are convinced to open the files with the vulnerable WebEx player application. When the player attempts to parse the malicious file structure, it encounters malformed data that triggers buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions within the application's processing engine. This results in the execution of attacker-controlled code within the context of the user's privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of WebEx recording player software in enterprise environments, making it an attractive target for nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise to encompass complete data breach scenarios and persistent threat capabilities. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, install additional malware, and exfiltrate sensitive corporate data. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on WebEx for collaborative meetings and training sessions, where the attack surface includes not only end-user devices but also shared network resources and cloud-based collaboration platforms. Organizations may experience significant business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and financial losses due to the potential for widespread exploitation across multiple user endpoints. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can operate without physical access to target systems, making detection and prevention more challenging for security teams.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch management and operational security enhancements. Cisco released security advisories and patches addressing the specific buffer overflow conditions in the WebEx player software, requiring organizations to update to patched versions immediately. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by preventing unauthorized execution of the vulnerable player application. Security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected email attachments or clicking suspicious links that may contain malicious recording files. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file access patterns and unusual network traffic from compromised endpoints can help identify exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions with advanced behavioral analysis capabilities to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and follows ATT&CK techniques related to social engineering and execution through malicious files, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls across multiple defensive layers.