CVE-2019-15285 in WebEx Network Recording Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Webex Network Recording Player for Microsoft Windows and Cisco Webex Player for Microsoft Windows could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected system. The vulnerabilities exist due to insufficient validation of certain elements with a Webex recording stored in either the Advanced Recording Format (ARF) or the Webex Recording Format (WRF). An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a user a malicious ARF or WRF file through a link or email attachment and persuading the user to open the file with the affected software on the local system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the targeted user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player for Microsoft Windows contain multiple vulnerabilities that could enable remote code execution through maliciously crafted recording files. These vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's handling of Advanced Recording Format and Webex Recording Format files. The flaw exists in the parsing logic that processes these multimedia recording files without sufficient sanitization of embedded elements, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed when users open legitimate recording files. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they leverage social engineering techniques through email attachments or web links, making them difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures.
The technical implementation of these vulnerabilities aligns with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses by creating specially crafted ARF or WRF files that contain malicious code or malformed data structures designed to trigger buffer overflows or code execution paths within the affected software. When users open these malicious files using the vulnerable Webex players, the software's insufficient validation routines fail to properly sanitize the input, allowing the attacker's payload to execute within the context of the user's session. This privilege escalation scenario means that the malicious code runs with the same permissions as the targeted user, potentially providing attackers with access to sensitive data, network resources, or the ability to pivot to other systems within the network.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple code execution, as they represent a significant attack vector for persistent security breaches. According to ATT&CK framework category T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, these vulnerabilities enable adversaries to establish initial access points through legitimate software applications that users trust and regularly interact with. The attack surface is particularly broad since Webex players are commonly used for business communications, making them attractive targets for corporate espionage and advanced persistent threat campaigns. Organizations using these vulnerable software versions face risks of data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks, especially when users open attachments or click links from untrusted sources. The vulnerabilities also contribute to the broader threat landscape by enabling attackers to bypass traditional security controls that might not detect malicious activity within legitimate application contexts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting user access to download and open potentially malicious files, updating to patched versions of Cisco Webex software, and implementing network-based controls to block access to known malicious domains. Security teams should also conduct user awareness training to recognize suspicious email attachments and links that could contain malicious Webex recording files. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized software and monitor for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should include checking for outdated Webex installations, and organizations should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting these specific vulnerabilities. The combination of these defensive measures can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation while maintaining operational continuity for legitimate Webex usage.