RealNetworks issues alert for security flaw in Helix server

After finding a vulnerability in its Helix Universal Server 9 platform, RealNetworks Inc. has issued a security warning for its customers.

The vulnerability is a root exploit where certain types of character strings appear in large numbers within the URLs destined for a server’s protocol parsers, the Seattle-based company said in an sever exploit vulnerability alert posed on its Web site.

Along with the Server 9 platform, earlier versions of the server including RealSystem Server 8, 7 and RealServer G2, are also vulnerable to the security flaw, which could see attackers gaining access to users’ systems.

Customers are being told to remove the RealNetworks View Source plug-in from the /Plugins directory – vsrcplin.so and vsrcplin.dll – and to restart the server process.

The View Source Plug-in is responsible for reading and displaying file format headers of media files accessible to the file systems loaded by the server, the company said in the alert.

RealNetworks said the removal of the View Source Plug-in would not obstruct live streaming delivery or logging and authentication services but content browsing would be disabled.

While the removal of the View Source Plug-in is what the company calls a work-around for this issue, the company is working towards a more permanent solution by making a new version of the Helix Universal Server. The newer version will be available to all current customers, RealNetworks said.

Real’s proxy products are not vulnerable to the exploit.

Real Networks is online at www.realnetworks.com. The alert can be found at www.service.real.com/help/faq/security/rootexploit082203.html.

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Featured Articles

Cybersecurity in 2024: Priorities and challenges for Canadian organizations 

By Derek Manky As predictions for 2024 point to the continued expansion...

Survey shows generative AI is a top priority for Canadian corporate leaders.

Leaders are devoting significant budget to generative AI for 2024 Canadian corporate...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now