CVE-2005-3525 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in an ActiveX control for the installer for Adobe Macromedia Shockwave Player 10.1.0.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted large values for unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3525 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within an ActiveX control component of Adobe Macromedia Shockwave Player version 10.1.0.11 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects systems running Windows operating systems where the Shockwave Player ActiveX control is installed, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local system access. The flaw occurs during the installation process when the ActiveX control processes unspecified parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents one of the most dangerous types of buffer overflow vulnerabilities due to the potential for arbitrary code execution. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates how ActiveX controls can become attack vectors when they fail to properly validate input parameters before processing them in memory operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker constructing specially crafted parameters that, when passed to the vulnerable ActiveX control during installation, cause the stack buffer to overflow. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, enabling an attacker to redirect execution flow to malicious code injected into the stack. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through web-based attacks, where a malicious website could host a Shockwave Player installer with crafted parameters that automatically executes when users attempt to install or update the software. The attack surface extends beyond just the installation process since many ActiveX controls maintain functionality even after installation, potentially allowing persistent exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3525 is severe and far-reaching, as it can lead to complete system compromise when successfully exploited. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Shockwave Player installation, which typically runs with user-level permissions but could potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects a widely deployed software component, making it attractive to attackers who can create mass-distribution campaigns through compromised websites, email attachments, or malicious advertisements. Organizations running older versions of Shockwave Player are particularly vulnerable since the exploit can be delivered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability also demonstrates the inherent risks associated with ActiveX controls, which are known to be problematic security-wise due to their ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on Windows systems. System administrators must consider that this vulnerability can be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors, potentially allowing for complete network compromise if exploited on systems with administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3525 should include immediate patching of all affected systems with the latest Shockwave Player versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious ActiveX content from being executed. Disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers or implementing strict security policies that prevent automatic execution of ActiveX content can significantly reduce the attack surface. System administrators should also consider deploying exploit protection mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as relying solely on perimeter security measures may not be sufficient to protect against such vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other ActiveX components and software applications that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow attacks.