CVE-2010-0986 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.7.609 does not properly process asset entries, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted Shockwave file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.7.609 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that arises from improper handling of asset entries within Shockwave files. This flaw exists in the player's parsing mechanism for Shockwave content, specifically when processing malformed or crafted asset data structures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the Shockwave player's runtime environment, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout through specially constructed Shockwave files. The issue manifests as a buffer over-read condition when the player attempts to process asset entries that exceed expected boundaries or contain malformed data structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious Shockwave file that contains specially designed asset entries. These entries trigger memory corruption during the parsing process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities and can be classified as a buffer overflow or heap corruption issue, aligning with common CWE classifications such as CWE-121 for heap-based buffer overflow or CWE-125 for out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage client-side applications to execute malicious code.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. The Shockwave player's widespread deployment across various operating systems makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affects users who may encounter malicious Shockwave content through web browsers, email attachments, or malicious websites. The memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system hangs, or more severe consequences if the attacker can control the execution flow of the application. Organizations relying on Shockwave content for multimedia presentations, educational materials, or legacy applications face significant risk from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Shockwave Player installations to version 11.5.7.609 or later, which contains the necessary memory validation fixes. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block Shockwave content from untrusted sources and consider disabling Shockwave Player entirely if the application is not essential for business operations. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious Shockwave file activity, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of systems that may encounter Shockwave content. Organizations should also consider transitioning away from Shockwave technology to more modern multimedia formats that have better security track records and active support from vendors. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia plugins and implementing comprehensive patch management processes to address similar issues in other legacy software components.