HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2009-4242

CRITICAL

CVE-2009-4242

CWE-119Published: January 25, 2010· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

9.3

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the CGIFCodec::GetPacketBuffer function in datatype/image/gif/common/gifcodec.cpp in RealNetworks RealPlayer 10; RealPlayer 10.5 6.0.12.1040 through 6.0.12.1741; RealPlayer 11 11.0.0 through 11.0.4; RealPlayer Enterprise; Mac RealPlayer 10, 10.1, and 11.0; Linux RealPlayer 10; and Helix Player 10.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a GIF file with crafted chunk sizes that trigger improper memory allocation.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2009-4242 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-119): Buffer overflow vulnerabilities can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service by corrupting adjacent memory.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorNetwork

Attack ComplexityM

Privileges Req.

User Interaction

Scope

Impact

ConfidentialityC

IntegrityC

AvailabilityC

AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Affected Vendors & Products

Apple1 product(s)

mac os x

Microsoft1 product(s)

windows

realnetworks4 product(s)

realplayerrealplayer enterpriserealplayer sphelix player

Source: NVD CPE · 18 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time

Offensive Security exploit database

GitHub PoC Search

Community PoC repositories

Rapid7 / Metasploit

Metasploit module search

Security advisories & exploits

Official NIST entry

CVE Program entry

External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://securitytracker.com/id?1023489

PATCHhttp://service.real.com/realplayer/security/01192010_player/en/

PATCHhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0178

PATCHhttp://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-006/

PATCHhttp://securitytracker.com/id?1023489

PATCHhttp://service.real.com/realplayer/security/01192010_player/en/

PATCHhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0178

PATCHhttp://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-006/

ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/38218

ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/38218

All References (30)

→

http://lists.helixcommunity.org/pipermail/datatype-cvs/2008-September/008633.html

→

http://osvdb.org/61966

→

http://secunia.com/advisories/38218Vendor Advisory

→

http://secunia.com/advisories/38450

→

http://securitytracker.com/id?1023489Patch

→

http://service.real.com/realplayer/security/01192010_player/en/Patch · Vendor Advisory

→

http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2010-0094.html

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/509096/100/0/threaded

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37880

→

http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0178Patch · Vendor Advisory

→

http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-006/Patch

→

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=561436

→

https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/55795

→

https://helixcommunity.org/viewcvs/datatype/image/gif/common/gifcodec.cpp?view=log#rev1.8

→

https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10144

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2009-4242

CVSS Score9.3 / 10

SeverityCRITICAL

WeaknessCWE-119

CISA KEVNo

Affected3 vendor(s)

PublishedJan 25, 2010

Related CVEs (CWE-119)

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2009-4242 in threat intel feeds
→Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts

Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.

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