Microsoft Windows Media Player CVE-2010-2745 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Windows Media Player is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability when handling specially crafted media content. An attacker can exploit this issue by enticing an unsuspecting user to view a malicious webpage. Successful exploits will allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user running the application, which can compromise the application and possibly the computer. The issue affects the following: Windows Media Player 9 series Windows Media Player 10 Windows Media Player 11 Windows Media Player 12

Technologies Affected

• Avaya Aura Conferencing Standard
• Avaya CallPilot
• Avaya Communication Server 1000 Telephony Manager
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal
• Avaya Messaging Application Server
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 10.0
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 11
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 12
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 9.0

Recommendations

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, always run nonadministrative software as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for signs of anomalous or suspicious activity. This includes but is not limited to requests that include NOP sleds and unexplained incoming and outgoing traffic. This may indicate exploit attempts or activity that results from a successful exploit.

Do not accept or execute files from untrusted or unknown sources.
To reduce the likelihood of successful attacks, never handle or open files from unknown sources.

Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
To reduce the likelihood of successful exploits, never visit sites of questionable integrity or follow links provided by unfamiliar or untrusted sources.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
As this issue may be cause by a memory-corruption error, consider various memory-protection schemes (such as nonexecutable and randomly mapped memory segments) that may hinder an attacker’s ability to exploit memory-corruption vulnerabilities. Host-based intrusion-prevention systems may also help prevent exploits.

The vendor released an advisory and updates to address this issue. Please see the references for more information.