CVE-2020-3604 in WebEx Network Recording Player
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2020
Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Webex Network Recording Player for Windows and Cisco Webex Player for Windows could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected system. The vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of certain elements of a Webex recording that is stored in the Advanced Recording Format (ARF) or 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 • 12/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3604 affects Cisco Webex Network Recording Player and Cisco Webex Player software for Windows systems, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through malicious file manipulation. These applications are designed to handle multimedia recordings in Advanced Recording Format and Webex Recording Format, which are commonly used for collaborative meetings and training sessions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's parsing routines, specifically when processing ARF and WRF file structures. This insufficient validation creates a pathway for attackers to craft maliciously formatted files that can trigger unexpected behavior when opened by the affected software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic social engineering attack vector where an adversary crafts specially formatted ARF or WRF files designed to exploit the parsing flaws in the affected software. When a user opens such a malicious file with the vulnerable Webex player application, the software's inadequate validation routines fail to properly sanitize the input data, allowing the attacker's malicious code to execute within the context of the user's session. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction to be effective, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open email attachments or click on links containing multimedia content. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for legitimate user execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3604 extends beyond simple code execution, as the successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to operate with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects systems where the affected Webex software is installed, which are commonly found in corporate environments for video conferencing and collaboration purposes. Organizations using these applications face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential escalation to domain-level access if the compromised system is part of a larger network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill from the attacker and relies heavily on user trust and behavior, making it particularly effective in targeted attacks against specific individuals or organizations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems, as Cisco has released security updates addressing these flaws. Organizations should implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning mechanisms to prevent malicious ARF and WRF files from reaching users. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of the vulnerable Webex applications to trusted environments only. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, aligning with CWE-20 which addresses improper input validation in software applications. Additionally, user awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown file attachments and clicking on suspicious links, as these controls provide additional defense in depth against social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.