1. Advisory Information
Title: Real Helix DNA RTSP and SETUP request handler vulnerabilities
Advisory ID: CORE-2009-0227
Advisory URL: http://www.coresecurity.com/content/real-helix-dna
Date published: 2009-07-17
Date of last update: 2009-07-17
Vendors contacted: Real Networks
Release mode: Forced release
2. Vulnerability Information
Class: Denial of service (DoS)
Remotely Exploitable: Yes
Locally Exploitable: No
Bugtraq ID: N/A
CVE Name: CVE-2009-2533, CVE-2009-2534
3. Vulnerability Description
Helix Server is a multi-format cross-platform streaming server. Two vulnerabilities have been found, that could allow a remote attacker to crash the Helix Server.
During a RTSP (SET_PARAMETERS) request handling,
if an empty DataConvertBuffer parameter
is received by the server, it will raise an exception reading an invalid direction of memory.
This exception is usually handled correctly but if you
send this malformed request multiple times in a short period of time, it could render the Helix Server
unresponsive and terminate its execution.
During the SETUP request handling, a 0x2F character is searched in the request line,
if this byte is absent the process crashes with an access violation.
4. Vulnerable packages
- Helix Server Version 12.x
- Helix Mobile Server Version 12.x
- The vulnerabilities were investigated on Helix Server Version 12.0.1.215 (Tahiti) Build 175002/12667
5. Non-vulnerable packages
- Helix Server Version 13.0.0
- Helix Mobile Server Version 13.0.0
6. Vendor Information, Solutions and Workarounds
According to the Security Update 071409HS [2] published by RealNetworks: "The vulnerability is resolved on the following platforms by installing Version 13.0.0 of the Helix Server and the Helix Mobile Server. This only pertains to supported versions of the platforms listed below. The updated version will be available on your RealNetworks PAM site after 12:00 am PST, on July 14, 2009."
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Sun Solaris 10
- Windows 2003
7. Credits
These vulnerabilities were discovered and researched by Damian Frizza from Core Security Technologies.
8. Technical Description / Proof of Concept Code
8.1. RTSP request handling Denial of Service (CVE-2009-2533)
The problem arises when the rmserver process receives an RTSP (SET_PARAMETER)
request with no content in the DataConvertBuffer parameter. The handling code reads at the memory location
zero (0) and triggers an exception, which is handled correctly. However sending this malformed request
multiple times renders the rmserver process unresponsive and subsequently stops its execution.
The code section which triggers the exception is:
[+ full code]The following PoC code reproduces the issue:
[+ full code]The following output is written in the log file:
[+ full code]8.2. Malformed SETUP command handling Denial of Service (CVE-2009-2534)
The problem arises when the SETUP request is handled and
the byte 0x2F is absent in the request line. While handling
this kind of malformed request the server crashes with an access violation.
The code section which triggers the access violation is:
[+ full code]if only the "/" (0x2F) character is sent, the program tries to copy from 0 and the access violation exception is raised.
[+ full code]The following code reproduces the issue:
[+ full code]9. Report Timeline
- 2009-03-04: Core Security Technologies notifies RealNetworks of the vulnerability. Core initially schedules publication of its advisory to April 6th, 2009.
- 2009-03-16: Core notifies again RealNetworks of the vulnerability.
- 2009-03-16: RealNetworks identifies the vulnerability alert as SPAM.
- 2009-03-20: The RealNetworks team asks Core for a technical description of the vulnerability.
- 2009-03-23: Technical details sent to RealNetworks team by Core. RealNetworks acknowledges reception.
- 2009-03-30: Core requests information about the plans of RealNetworks to fix the vulnerabilities.
- 2009-03-30: RealNetworks responds that fixes will be included in the next public release - currently targeted for July 2009.
- 2009-05-04: Core requests RealNetworks a technical analysis of the vulnerabilities, a list of the affected versions of Helix Server, and a detailed timelime for developing, testing and releasing fixes for these vulnerabilities. It is only based on that information that Core can reevaluate its advisory publication timeframe (which was originally scheduled to be published on April 6).
- 2009-05-05: RealNetworks responds that fixes will be available in mid-2009, most likely in the July time frame, and that to protect its customer base RealNetworks will not provide additional details until the release is publicly available.
- 2009-05-05: Core requests a more precise estimation for the release of fixes (no reply received).
- 2009-05-29: Core requests again RealNetworks an estimated date for the release of fixes, and technical details about the issues. In the meantime, the publication of advisory CORE-2009-0227 is rescheduled for July 15th (no reply received).
- 2009-07-16: An updated version of the advisory was sent to RealNetworks by Core. Core requests again information about this issue.
- 2009-07-17: Core is made aware that Real Networks has released the Security Update 071409HS [2] on July 14th, which states that version 13.0.0 of the Helix Server and the Helix Mobile Server have been updated to ensure that the above vulnerabilities have been resolved.
- 2009-07-17: The advisory CORE-2009-0227 is published by Core.
10. References
[1] RealNetworks
http://www.realnetworks.com/
[2]
RealNetworks Security Update 071409HS
http://docs.real.com/docs/security/SecurityUpdate0
11. About CoreLabs
CoreLabs, the research center of Core Security Technologies, is charged with anticipating the future needs and requirements for information security technologies. We conduct our research in several important areas of computer security including system vulnerabilities, cyber attack planning and simulation, source code auditing, and cryptography. Our results include problem formalization, identification of vulnerabilities, novel solutions and prototypes for new technologies. CoreLabs regularly publishes security advisories, technical papers, project information and shared software tools for public use at: http://www.coresecurity.com/corelabs.
12. About Core Security Technologies
Core Security Technologies develops strategic solutions that help security-conscious organizations worldwide develop and maintain a proactive process for securing their networks. The company's flagship product, CORE IMPACT, is the most comprehensive product for performing enterprise security assurance testing. CORE IMPACT evaluates network, endpoint and end-user vulnerabilities and identifies what resources are exposed. It enables organizations to determine if current security investments are detecting and preventing attacks. Core Security Technologies augments its leading technology solution with world-class security consulting services, including penetration testing and software security auditing. Based in Boston, MA and Buenos Aires, Argentina, Core Security Technologies can be reached at 617-399-6980 or on the Web at http://www.coresecurity.com.
13. Disclaimer
The contents of this advisory are copyright (c) 2009 Core Security Technologies and (c) 2009 CoreLabs, and may be distributed freely provided that no fee is charged for this distribution and proper credit is given.
14. PGP/GPG Keys
This advisory has been signed with the GPG key of Core Security Technologies advisories
team, which is available for download at
http://www.coresecurity.com/files/attachments/core