CVE-2019-1926 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 because the affected software improperly validates Advanced Recording Format (ARF) and Webex Recording Format (WRF) files. 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 • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1926 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player software for Microsoft Windows environments. This issue stems from improper validation mechanisms within the affected applications that process Advanced Recording Format and Webex Recording Format files. The flaw creates a pathway for remote code execution attacks that can compromise systems running these specific software versions. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Cisco Webex for video conferencing and recording capabilities, particularly in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with email attachments and web links containing multimedia content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation mechanisms employed by the affected software when processing ARF and WRF file formats. These multimedia recording formats are commonly used for storing video conference recordings and presentations within Cisco Webex platforms. The improper validation allows attackers to craft maliciously formatted files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions within the application. This flaw operates under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The exploitation mechanism leverages social engineering tactics where attackers craft deceptive email attachments or web links containing the malicious files, relying on user trust to initiate execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise potential. When a user opens a malicious ARF or WRF file, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user account, which typically corresponds to the local user context. This means that if the user has administrative privileges, the attacker could potentially achieve system-level control. The vulnerability affects all versions of Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player for Microsoft Windows, creating a widespread risk across organizations using these applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users regularly receive email attachments and click on web links, making these applications prime targets for exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through malicious file execution.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary recommended action is to apply the security patches released by Cisco for the affected software versions, as these updates contain the necessary fixes for the input validation flaws. Network administrators should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious attachments, particularly those with ARF and WRF file extensions. Additionally, user awareness training programs should be strengthened to educate employees about the risks of opening unexpected email attachments or clicking on suspicious links. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, and monitor for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file format parsers to prevent similar issues in other software components.