CVE-2019-1928 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-2019-1928 affects Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player software for Microsoft Windows operating systems. These applications are designed to play back recorded meetings and presentations, making them integral components in enterprise communication environments. The security flaws stem from inadequate validation mechanisms within the software's handling of specific media file formats, namely Advanced Recording Format and Webex Recording Format files. This represents a classic example of input validation weakness that can be exploited through social engineering techniques to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation of ARF and WRF file structures, which creates opportunities for buffer overflow conditions and code execution exploits. When the affected software processes these malformed files, it fails to properly sanitize input data before attempting to parse or render the content. This weakness allows attackers to craft specially crafted malicious files that, when opened by a user, trigger arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read scenarios that can lead to code execution. The attack vector requires user interaction through email attachments or web links, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open attachments from unknown sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access within corporate networks. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the user has administrative rights. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows systems specifically, creating potential attack surfaces across various enterprise environments where Cisco Webex products are deployed. Organizations using these applications face significant risk of data exfiltration, system infiltration, and lateral movement within their networks. The attack model follows typical TTPs described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage for code execution.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates from Cisco, as the vendor has released patches addressing these vulnerabilities. Organizations must implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning protocols to prevent malicious files from reaching users. Network segmentation and privilege management should be reinforced to limit potential damage from successful exploits. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, user awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown attachments and clicking suspicious links. The remediation process should include monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and implementing network-based detection measures to identify unusual file access patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.