CVE-2010-0129 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.7.609 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted .dir (aka Director) file that triggers an array index error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.7.609 and earlier contains multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities that present significant security risks to users and organizations. These flaws occur within the player's handling of crafted .dir files, which are used to deliver multimedia content through the Shockwave platform. The vulnerabilities arise from improper validation of integer values during array index calculations, creating conditions where maliciously constructed input can cause integer overflows. When these overflows occur, they can result in memory corruption that manifests as denial of service conditions or potentially enable remote code execution. The integer overflow conditions specifically occur when the player processes certain parameters within Director files, where integer values are used to calculate array indices or buffer sizes. When these calculations exceed the maximum representable value for the integer type, the resulting overflow can cause unpredictable behavior in memory allocation and access patterns. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to craft malicious .dir files that can be delivered through web browsers or other means, making exploitation relatively straightforward. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security. The potential for remote code execution through these integer overflows aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK matrix, specifically related to privilege escalation and code execution through software vulnerabilities. The memory corruption resulting from these overflows can lead to application crashes, system instability, or in more severe cases, complete system compromise. Organizations using older versions of Shockwave Player are particularly vulnerable as these integer overflows can be exploited without user interaction, making them especially dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy multimedia content may still be in use. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities demonstrates the critical importance of keeping multimedia plugins and player software updated, as these components often have extensive attack surfaces due to their complex multimedia processing capabilities. The nature of these integer overflows also highlights the need for robust input validation and proper integer handling in software development practices, particularly for applications that process external media content. These vulnerabilities represent a classic example of how seemingly minor flaws in integer arithmetic can lead to severe security consequences, affecting not just the targeted application but potentially the entire system. The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves updating to Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.7.609 or later, which includes patches that address the integer overflow conditions through proper bounds checking and input validation. Security administrators should prioritize this update across all systems that may be exposed to untrusted Shockwave content, as the risk of exploitation remains high given the widespread use of Shockwave Player in legacy web applications and multimedia environments.