CVE-2010-0130 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.7.609 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .dir (aka Director) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.7.609 and earlier contained a critical integer overflow vulnerability that could be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This vulnerability resides in the player's handling of crafted .dir files, which are used to store Shockwave multimedia content. The integer overflow occurs when the application processes certain parameters within these files, specifically during memory allocation calculations where large integer values are improperly handled, leading to unexpected behavior in memory management.
The technical flaw manifests when Shockwave Player encounters specially crafted Director files that contain malformed integer values in their headers or data structures. When the player attempts to allocate memory based on these overflowed integer values, it can result in buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where integer arithmetic operations produce values that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond opening a malicious file, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems. Given that Shockwave Player was widely distributed and used across multiple platforms, the potential attack surface was extensive. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers could deliver malicious content through web browsers or email attachments without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users might inadvertently open compromised Shockwave files.
Security researchers have documented similar vulnerabilities in multimedia players and rich media frameworks, where integer overflows in file parsing routines have led to arbitrary code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries exploit software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. Organizations should prioritize patch management for this vulnerability, as Adobe released version 11.5.7.609 to address the integer overflow issue. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious file downloads and consider disabling Shockwave Player in environments where it is not essential, as the software has been deprecated and no longer receives security updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation and proper integer arithmetic handling in multimedia applications to prevent similar issues in the future.