Vulnerability in RealNetworks RealPlayer Could Allow Remote Code Execution

Executive Summary

Microsoft is providing notification of the discovery and remediation of a vulnerability affecting RealNetworks RealPlayer SP version 1.1.4 and earlier and RealPlayer 11.1 and earlier. Microsoft discovered and disclosed the vulnerability under coordinated vulnerability disclosure to the affected vendor, RealNetworks, Inc. RealNetworks, Inc. has remediated the vulnerability in their software.

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that RealPlayer handles multiple instantiations of the RealPlayer ActiveX plug-in in multiple Internet Explorer browser windows. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability, causing the browser to exit unexpectedly, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the logged-on user. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

Microsoft Vulnerability Research reported this issue to and coordinated with RealNetworks, Inc. to ensure remediation of this issue. The vulnerability has been assigned the entry, CVE-2010-3001, in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list. For more information, including information about updates from RealNetworks, see RealNetworks, Inc. Releases Update to Address Security Vulnerabilities.

Mitigating Factors

• In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker’s Web site.
• An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.