CVE-2018-15416 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 inadequate input 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 playing back recorded video conferences and meetings, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise end-user systems. The flaw specifically manifests when the software processes maliciously crafted ARF or WRF files, which contain malformed data structures that bypass normal validation procedures. This improper validation creates a path for arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain full control over compromised systems without requiring elevated privileges.
The exploitation vector for this vulnerability operates through social engineering techniques that rely on user interaction with maliciously crafted files. Attackers can deliver malicious ARF or WRF files through various channels including email attachments, web links, or file sharing platforms, with the goal of tricking users into opening these files with the vulnerable software. The attack requires minimal technical sophistication from the attacker, as the exploit chain is largely automated once the user interacts with the malicious file. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets widely deployed collaboration software used in enterprise environments, where users frequently open email attachments and click on links without sufficient security awareness. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and the potential for widespread compromise significant, especially in organizations where Webex is extensively used for business communications and meetings.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-78, which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The improper validation of file formats creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures within the application's process, leading to code execution in the context of the user running the vulnerable software. The attack follows typical exploitation patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The successful exploitation results in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install additional malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised environment.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches to address this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the underlying validation flaw. System administrators should implement email filtering solutions to block suspicious attachments and monitor for malicious file types within their networks. User education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown email attachments and clicking on suspicious links, particularly those related to collaboration software. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing activities and network connections initiated by the vulnerable applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with widely deployed collaboration tools that may become targets for sophisticated attack campaigns.