CVE-2018-15413 in WebEx Network Recording Player
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco Webex Network Recording Player for Microsoft Windows and the Cisco Webex Player for Microsoft Windows could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected system. The vulnerability exist because the affected software improperly validates Advanced Recording Format (ARF) and Webex Recording Format (WRF) files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a user a malicious ARF or WRF file via a link or an email attachment and persuading the user to open the file by using the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15413 represents a critical code execution flaw in Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player software for Microsoft Windows environments. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the affected media players, specifically when processing Advanced Recording Format and Webex Recording Format files. The flaw creates a pathway for remote code execution attacks that could compromise entire systems through social engineering tactics targeting end users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations. The affected software fails to properly sanitize file structures when parsing ARF and WRF formats, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that trigger buffer overflow conditions or other memory corruption scenarios. These file formats are commonly used for storing recorded video conferences and presentations, making them attractive attack vectors due to their legitimate presence in business environments. The vulnerability operates through a classic attack pattern that maps to the ATT&CK framework's T1204.002 technique for legitimate program execution, where attackers leverage trusted software to execute malicious payloads.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. The attack requires minimal user interaction through social engineering, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious attachments or click on compromised links. Once executed, the malicious code could establish persistence mechanisms, exfiltrate sensitive data, or serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems and impacts organizations relying on Cisco Webex for collaboration and training purposes, creating significant risk for companies handling confidential information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates from Cisco, which would address the underlying validation flaws in the affected players. Organizations must implement email filtering solutions to detect and quarantine suspicious attachments, while user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown file types from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling automatic playback of media files in email clients and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially vulnerable software. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly for media processing applications that handle user-supplied content, as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding practices and NIST SP 800-53 security controls for software development lifecycle security requirements.