CVE-2018-15415 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
This vulnerability resides in Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player software for Microsoft Windows, representing a critical code execution flaw that could be leveraged remotely by threat actors. The vulnerability stems from improper validation mechanisms within the affected software's handling of Advanced Recording Format and Webex Recording Format files. These multimedia formats are commonly used for storing and sharing recorded web meetings and presentations, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise end-user systems. The flaw exists at the input validation layer where the software fails to adequately sanitize or verify the structure and content of these file formats before processing them, creating a pathway for malicious code injection.
The exploitation vector relies heavily on social engineering techniques, as attackers must convince users to open maliciously crafted ARF or WRF files through email attachments or web links. This approach aligns with common attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases, specifically targeting user interaction as the primary attack surface. The vulnerability's classification as a code execution flaw places it within CWE-119, which encompasses weaknesses related to memory safety and improper input validation. When a user opens a malicious file, the vulnerable software processes the malformed data without proper safeguards, allowing attacker-controlled code to execute with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with full system compromise capabilities. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, deploy additional malware, or escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access depending on the target system configuration. The vulnerability affects Windows-based systems running the specific Cisco Webex software versions, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these applications are widely deployed. Organizations with limited security awareness training programs face heightened risk, as the social engineering component makes this attack vector particularly effective against untrained users. The attack chain typically follows the pattern of delivery through phishing campaigns, leveraging the trust users place in legitimate meeting recording formats.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate software updates and user education initiatives to reduce the attack surface. Cisco released patches addressing this vulnerability through their security advisory, and organizations must prioritize timely deployment of these updates across all affected systems. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense layers, while email filtering solutions should be configured to block suspicious attachments and links containing known malicious file extensions. Security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected attachments and visiting untrusted websites, as these measures directly counter the social engineering aspects of the attack. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, aligning with industry standards that recommend thorough sanitization of all external data inputs to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles.