CVE-2009-3465 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.2.602 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted Shockwave content on a web site, related to an "invalid pointer vulnerability," a different issue than CVE-2009-3464. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.2.602 and earlier contains a critical vulnerability classified as an invalid pointer vulnerability that enables remote code execution when users visit malicious websites hosting crafted Shockwave content. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from CVE-2009-3464, indicating separate code paths and exploitation mechanisms within the Shockwave Player runtime environment. The flaw occurs when the player processes malformed Shockwave files that contain invalid memory pointers, causing the application to dereference these pointers and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the player. This vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system compromise. The attack vector requires a user to interact with a malicious website hosting specially crafted Shockwave content, making this a classic web-based attack scenario that exploits the trust users place in web content. The vulnerability represents a significant risk because Shockwave Player was widely distributed and installed across various operating systems, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves the Shockwave Player's handling of invalid memory pointers within its parsing logic for Shockwave files. When the player encounters malformed content containing invalid pointers, the memory management routines fail to properly validate these references before dereferencing them, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to inject and execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site. The exploitability of this issue is enhanced by the fact that Shockwave Player was commonly enabled by default in web browsers, and many users were unaware of its presence or the risks it posed. Security researchers have identified this as a heap-based buffer overflow scenario that can be triggered through improper memory management during Shockwave file processing, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in software components to gain code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data theft. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to install backdoors, steal sensitive information, or perform other malicious activities on affected systems. The widespread deployment of Shockwave Player across enterprise networks and consumer devices meant that a single compromised website could potentially affect thousands of users simultaneously. Organizations relying on Shockwave Player for multimedia content delivery faced significant exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited through legitimate web traffic without any indication of compromise. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to target systems. Security professionals noted that the vulnerability's exploitation required no user interaction beyond normal web browsing, making it extremely difficult to defend against through traditional user awareness training alone. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0002 which focuses on execution through legitimate user processes and software components that are trusted by the operating system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability centered on immediate patch deployment and user education regarding the risks associated with Shockwave Player. Adobe released security updates to address the vulnerability in version 11.5.2.602, requiring users to update their installations to prevent exploitation. Organizations implementing network-based defenses could block access to Shockwave content through web proxies and content filtering solutions, though this approach was not always effective given the widespread use of Shockwave Player. The recommended approach involved disabling Shockwave Player functionality in web browsers or removing it entirely from systems where it was not required. Security teams also implemented monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Long-term mitigation included migrating to modern web standards such as html5 and flash alternatives, as Shockwave Player was considered legacy software with limited support and security updates. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and the risks associated with enabling legacy multimedia technologies in enterprise environments. Organizations that failed to implement these mitigations faced significant exposure to targeted attacks that could result in complete system compromise and data breaches.