CVE-2009-4242

CVE-2009-4242 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Realnetworks Realplayer with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-4242?
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.
How severe is CVE-2009-4242?
CVE-2009-4242 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2009-4242 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-4242?
CVE-2009-4242 primarily affects Realnetworks Realplayer. In total, 18 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-4242?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2009-4242 published?
CVE-2009-4242 was published on 2010-01-25 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (18)

More vulnerabilities in Realnetworks Realplayer

All CVEs affecting Realnetworks Realplayer →

Other CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) vulnerabilities

Browse all CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) vulnerabilities →