Description
Format string vulnerability in Real HelixPlayer and RealPlayer 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the (1) image handle or (2) timeformat attribute in a RealPix (.rp) or RealText (.rt) file.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.1 | helix-player | 1.0.4-1sarge1 | DSA-826-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | HelixPlayer | 1:1.0.6-0.EL4.1 | RHSA-2005:788 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- RealPlayer/Helix Player (Linux) - Remote Format String EDB-1232 · remote · Sep 26, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:788 Red Hat Security Advisory: HelixPlayer security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- DSA-826-1 helix-player - multiple Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 17127 third-party-advisory
- VU#361181 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200510-07 vendor-advisory
- DSA-826 vendor-advisory
- 27 third-party-advisory
- 20050926 RealPlayer && HelixPlayer Remote Format String mailing-list
- 16961 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2005:788 vendor-advisory
- 16981 third-party-advisory
- 17116 third-party-advisory
- 16954 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11015 vdb-entry signature
- SUSE-SA:2005:059 vendor-advisory
- http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=168078
- 20050930 RealNetworks RealPlayer/HelixPlayer RealPix Format String Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- http://www.open-security.org/advisories/13
- 41 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2005:762 vendor-advisory
- 20050926 RealPlayer && HelixPlayer Remote Format String Exploit mailing-list