Flaw in RealPlayer Client Could Allow Remote Attack

Flaw in RealPlayer Client Could Allow Remote Attack

Written By
Larry Seltzer
Larry Seltzer
Apr 7, 2004
1 minute read
eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

RealNetworks Inc. has announced that a flaw in a component of many of its client systems could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the users system.

According to RealNetworks, this issue affects “RealPlayer 8, RealOne Player, RealOne Player v2 for Windows only (all languages), RealPlayer 10 Beta (English only) and ReaPlayer Enterprise (all versions, standalone and as configured by the RealPlayer Enterprise Manager).” The RealPlayer 10 Gold client removes the affected component at installation and is therefore not considered vulnerable.

Users must have, at some time in the past, downloaded the specialized R3T plug-in, which supports “RealText 3D.” If an attacker were to exploit the vulnerability successfully, he or she could, minimally, produce a denial of service in the R3T plug-in. It may also be possible for the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the user of the player.

The attacker would have to entice the user to load a malformed file designed to invoke the vulnerability, probably by luring the user to a Web site that contains Real media.

Users of affected versions of Real players can uninstall the affected feature from the same page on which Real describes the problem.

/zimages/5/28571.gifCheck outeWEEK.coms Security Centerat http://security.eweek.com for security news, views and analysis.
Be sure to add our eWEEK.com security news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page:http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/my/addtomyyahoo2.gif

eWeek Logo

eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site's focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.