CVE-2009-2186 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.0.0.465 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2009-1860, related to an older issue that "was previously resolved in Shockwave Player 11.0.0.465."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.0.0.465 and earlier contained an unspecified vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability represented a distinct security flaw from CVE-2009-1860, which had been addressed in a previous update. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vector suggests that attackers could potentially exploit multiple pathways within the Shockwave Player runtime environment to achieve code execution. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it allowed remote code execution without requiring user interaction, making it a significant threat to systems that had Shockwave Player installed. The flaw existed in the player's handling of certain multimedia content or file formats that could be delivered through web browsers or other applications that utilized Shockwave Player as a plugin. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution flaws that are classified as CWE-119 in the Common Weakness Enumeration, which deals with weaknesses that allow attackers to execute code in the context of the affected application. The attack surface for this vulnerability was extensive given that Shockwave Player was widely distributed and used for multimedia content delivery across various platforms and applications. Organizations that had not updated to version 11.0.0.465 or later remained at risk, as the vulnerability had not been patched in earlier versions. The threat model for this vulnerability aligned with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code, and T1203, which covers the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be exploited through web-based attacks, making it accessible to attackers who could simply deliver malicious Shockwave content through compromised websites or email attachments. This type of vulnerability represented a critical gap in the security posture of organizations that relied on Shockwave Player for multimedia content delivery, as it provided attackers with a direct path to compromise systems without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The patch provided in version 11.0.0.465 addressed the underlying flaw in the Shockwave Player's content processing mechanisms, specifically targeting the methods used to parse and execute Shockwave multimedia files. Organizations needed to ensure that all instances of Shockwave Player were updated to version 11.0.0.465 or later to mitigate this risk. The vulnerability demonstrated the importance of keeping multimedia plugins up to date, as these components often represent significant attack vectors due to their complex processing requirements and frequent use in web environments. Security practitioners should have monitored for this vulnerability as part of their ongoing vulnerability management programs, particularly given the widespread deployment of Shockwave Player in enterprise environments. The flaw underscored the need for comprehensive security testing of multimedia plugins and the importance of implementing layered security controls to protect against code execution vulnerabilities in client-side applications. Organizations that had not yet patched their Shockwave Player installations were vulnerable to attackers who could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability highlighted the risks associated with legacy multimedia technologies that continued to be deployed in enterprise environments despite known security issues. This particular vulnerability was classified as a critical threat in the context of web-based attacks, as it could be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring specialized tools or extensive user interaction from the victim. The resolution of this vulnerability required a complete update of the Shockwave Player runtime environment, indicating that the flaw was fundamental to how the application processed multimedia content rather than a simple configuration issue. Security teams should have implemented immediate remediation procedures to ensure that all affected systems were updated and that no legacy versions remained in production environments. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures, as attackers who gained initial access through this vulnerability could use it as a foothold for more extensive attacks. This type of vulnerability also demonstrated the ongoing challenges in securing multimedia applications and plugins, which often require complex processing capabilities that can introduce security flaws. The issue reinforced the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the necessity of implementing automated patch management systems to address vulnerabilities quickly and effectively. Organizations needed to consider the broader implications of continued use of outdated multimedia plugins and evaluate their overall multimedia security strategy to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.