CVE-2010-1281 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
iml32.dll in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.7.609 does not validate a certain value from a file before using it in file-pointer calculations, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) 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 contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in the iml32.dll component that arises from insufficient validation of file pointer values during processing of Director files. This vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation where the software fails to properly verify the integrity of data structures before utilizing them in memory operations. The flaw occurs when the application processes maliciously crafted .dir files that contain malformed pointer values, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper bounds checking within the file pointer calculation routines. When Shockwave Player encounters a Director file, it attempts to parse and process various data structures including file pointers that reference specific memory locations. The iml32.dll module does not validate whether these pointer values fall within acceptable ranges or adhere to expected formats before performing arithmetic operations or memory access operations. This absence of validation creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the pointer calculations, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121 and represents a specific instance of improper input validation under CWE-20.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can craft specially designed .dir files that, when opened by an unpatched Shockwave Player, will trigger the vulnerable code path and allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. This represents a significant security risk given that Shockwave Player was widely distributed and often used in web environments where users might inadvertently download and open malicious content. The memory corruption can manifest in various ways including stack corruption, heap corruption, or data overwrite conditions that can be exploited through techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Shockwave Player was commonly installed on systems and often auto-executed content from web pages. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Shockwave Player faced significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability could be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploitability of this vulnerability was further enhanced by the widespread use of Shockwave Player in enterprise environments where users might encounter malicious content through legitimate business applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of Shockwave Player installations to version 11.5.7.609 or later, which contained the necessary validation fixes. Organizations should have implemented network-based controls to block .dir file types from being processed by Shockwave Player, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted content. System administrators needed to ensure that automatic updates were enabled for Shockwave Player components and that regular security assessments were conducted to identify potentially vulnerable installations. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of proper input validation in all software components and served as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and vulnerability management processes.