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Home > Products and services > CSIRTUK advisories > Advisories archive > October 2007 > 3438 - RealPlayer playlist name stack buffer overflow

October 2007

3438 - RealPlayer playlist name stack buffer overflow

ID: 3438
Date: 22/10/2007

Title: 3438 - RealPlayer playlist name stack buffer overflow
Platform level affected:Net Application - Client
Hardware components affected:Intel PC
Specific operating systems components affected: 32-bit Windows
Net-enabled software: Other
Other software: Other
Remediation Summary:Update your copy of the software with the download available from the supplier.
Vendors affected:RealPlayer
Applications affected:RealPlayer
Adversity source: Unknown
Attack Vector: Vulnerability exploitation
Virulence: Unknown
Warning Status: Active
Potential Damage: Remote execution/modification
Possible Duration: Open Ended
Availability of fix: Available
Type of fix: Patch
Source: AusCERT & US-CERT
Reliability of source: Trusted
Source URL: http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/871673
CVE: CVE-2007-5601
Abstract: RealPlayer contains a stack buffer overflow in the handling of playlist names, which can allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

Vulnerability Note VU#871673

RealPlayer playlist name stack buffer overflow

Overview
RealPlayer contains a stack buffer overflow in the handling of playlist names, which can allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

I. Description
RealNetworks RealPlayer is a multimedia application that allows users to view local and remote audio/video content. The RealPlayer Database Component, which is provided by MPAMedia.dll, contains a stack buffer overflow in the handling of playlist names. The RealPlayer IERPCtl ActiveX control, which is provided by ierpplug.dll, can be used to import a local file into a specified playlist in RealPlayer. This can be used to trigger the buffer overflow vulnerability.
The ActiveX control is present in RealPlayer version 9 (RealOne Player) and later.

II. Impact
By convincing a user to view a specially crafted HTML document (e.g., a web page or an HTML email message or attachment), a remote, unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user on a vulnerable system.

III. Solution
Apply an update

Please see the Security Update from RealNetworks. The update will provide newer versions of the RealPlayer Database Component for RealPlayer 10.5 and RealPlayer 11 beta. Users with RealOne Player, RealOne Player v2 or RealPlayer 10 should first update to RealPlayer 10.5 or later and then apply the security update.

Disable the IERPCtl ActiveX control in Internet Explorer

The ActiveX control that can be used as an attack vector can be disabled in Internet Explorer by setting the kill bit for the following CLSID:

      {FDC7A535-4070-4B92-A0EA-D9994BCC0DC5}

More information about how to set the kill bit is available in Microsoft Support Document 240797. Alternatively, the following text can be saved as a .REG file and imported to set the kill bit for this control:

      Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{FDC7A535-4070-4B92-A0EA-D9994BCC0DC5}]
      "Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400

Disable ActiveX

Disabling ActiveX controls in the Internet Zone (or any zone used by an
attacker) appears to prevent exploitation of this and other ActiveX vulnerabilities. Instructions for disabling ActiveX in the Internet Zone can be found in the "Securing Your Web Browser" document.

Systems Affected   

Vendor                Status    Date Updated
RealNetworks, Inc.  Vulnerable   20-Oct-2007

References

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/securing_browser/#Internet_Explorer
http://service.real.com/realplayer/security/191007_player/en/
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/26130
http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/security_response/weblog/2007/10/realplayer_exploit_on_the_loos.html
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240797

Credit

This vulnerability was analyzed and confirmed by US-CERT on October 13, 2007.

This document was written by Will Dormann.

Other Information
Date Public             10/18/2007
Date First Published    10/20/2007 10:25:17 AM
Date Last Updated       10/21/2007

CERT Advisory 
CVE Name     CVE-2007-5601
Metric       34.02

Document Revision 19

This advisory contains information released by the original author. Some of the information may have changed since it was released. If the issue affects you, it may be prudent to retrieve the advisory from the site of the original source to ensure that you receive the most current information concerning that problem. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by CPNI.

The views and opinions of authors expressed within this notice shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. CPNI shall not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions contained within this advisory. In particular, they shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever, arising from or in connection with the usage of information contained within this advisory.

CSIRTUK is a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and has contacts with other international Incident Response Teams (IRTs) in order to foster cooperation and coordination in incident prevention, to prompt rapid reaction to incidents, and to promote information sharing amongst its members and the community at large.

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Domain affected: Technical
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