CVE-2018-0104 in WebEx Network Recording Player
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player for Advanced Recording Format (ARF) files could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system of a targeted user. The attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending the user a link or email attachment with a malicious ARF file and persuading the user to follow the link or launch the file. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the user's system. This vulnerability affects Cisco WebEx Business Suite meeting sites, Cisco WebEx Meetings sites, Cisco WebEx Meetings Server, and Cisco WebEx ARF players. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg78853, CSCvg78856, CSCvg78857.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
This vulnerability exists within Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player software that processes Advanced Recording Format files, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to targeted systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the ARF file parsing functionality, allowing maliciously crafted files to trigger unexpected behavior in the application's processing pipeline. The flaw specifically affects multiple Cisco WebEx platforms including business suite meeting sites, standard meetings sites, server installations, and various ARF player implementations, indicating a widespread impact across the Cisco WebEx ecosystem. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through social engineering techniques by delivering malicious ARF files via email attachments or malicious links that would automatically trigger the vulnerable code execution when users attempt to open or view the content. The exploitation mechanism relies on the automatic execution of embedded code within ARF files without proper user consent or awareness, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently interact with meeting recordings and collaborative content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption issue within the ARF file parser, where attacker-controlled input data can overwrite critical memory segments or execute arbitrary code within the application context. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-119 which defines weaknesses related to the use of uncontrolled data in a resource or execution call, and potentially CWE-787 which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond the simple act of opening a legitimate-looking ARF file, making it highly effective for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The vulnerability affects both desktop and server implementations, suggesting that attackers could potentially compromise not just individual user systems but also entire meeting infrastructure components. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Cisco WebEx for business communications and collaboration.
The impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive meeting data, or use compromised systems as launch points for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Cisco WebEx implementations means that organizations would need to address multiple points of potential compromise, increasing the complexity of remediation efforts. Security teams should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and potentially T1059 which addresses Command and Scripting Interpreter usage. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of unauthorized access to business meetings, proprietary information, and collaborative content that could be used for competitive advantage or financial gain. The remote nature of the attack vector eliminates the need for physical access to target systems, making it particularly attractive to threat actors conducting large-scale campaigns against enterprise targets. Mitigation efforts must include immediate patch deployment, user awareness training to recognize potentially malicious ARF files, and network monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns. Given the widespread nature of the affected platforms, organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting automatic execution of potentially malicious file types within their network environments.