RealNetworks products vulnerable to buffer overflow via specially crafted MBC file
Vulnerability Note VU#451556
Original Release Date: 2006-04-01 | Last Revised: 2006-04-24
Overview
Numerous RealNetworks products are vulnerable to a buffer overflow that may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.
Description
RealNetworks RealPlayer
RealNetworks RealPlayer is a multimedia application that allows users to view local and remote audio/video content.
MBC Files
MBC files are used to for Mimio BoardCast audio sessions. More information on Mimio Boards is available on the Mimio website.
The Problem
Numerous RealNetworks products fail to properly validate MBC files allowing a buffer overflow to occur. By persuading a user to access a specially crafted MBC file with RealPlayer, a remote attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code.
By convincing a user to open a specially crafted MBC file with RealPlayer, a remote, unauthenticated attacker can execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.
An attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability by embedding the crafted MBC file in a web page and convincing a user to access that page. Disabling RealPlayer in the web browser will eliminate this attack vector thereby reducing the chances of exploitation.
To disable RealPlayer in Microsoft Internet Explorer,disable the RealPlayer ActiveX control. In other web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, disable the RealPlayer plugin.
This issue was reported in RealNetwork Security Update for March 2006. RealNetworks credits John Heasman of NGSSoftware, Greg MacManus of iDEFENSE Labs, and Sowhat of Nevis Labs with providing information about this vulnerability.