ZDI-11-122: RealNetworks RealPlayer OpenURLInDefaultBrowser Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-11-122

April 12, 2011

-- CVE ID:
CVE-2011-1426

-- CVSS:
9.7, (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:P/A:C)

-- Affected Vendors:
RealNetworks

-- Affected Products:
RealNetworks RealPlayer

-- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 11062. 
For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS, visit:

    http://www.tippingpoint.com

-- Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on
vulnerable installations of RealNetworks RealPlayer. User interaction is
required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a
malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within RealPlayer exposes a method called
OpenURLInDefaultBrowser() that can be accessed through RealPlayer's
internal browser. When this method is called, it will open and execute
the first parameter based on the operating system's default handler for
the filetype. An attacker can reach RealPlayer's internal browser by
utilizing a specially crafted .rnx file. This can be leveraged to
execute arbitrary code under the context of the user invoking
RealPlayer.

-- Vendor Response:
RealNetworks has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More
details can be found at:

http://service.real.com/realplayer/security/04122011_player/en/

-- Disclosure Timeline:
2011-02-17 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2011-04-12 - Coordinated public release of advisory

-- Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by:
    * Peter Vreugdenhil ( http://vreugdenhilresearch.nl )
    * Andrea Micalizzi aka rgod

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