CVE-2010-1283 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.7.609 does not properly parse 3D objects in .dir (aka Director) files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via a modified field in a 0xFFFFFF49 record.
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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 heap memory corruption vulnerability in its handling of 3D objects within .dir files. This flaw stems from insufficient validation of the 0xFFFFFF49 record structure which is used to define 3D object properties in Director files. The vulnerability occurs when the player processes modified field values within this specific record type, leading to improper memory allocation and manipulation that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Shockwave Player's parser failing to properly validate the size and content of fields within the 0xFFFFFF49 record, which is part of the Director file format specification. When a maliciously crafted .dir file containing modified record fields is loaded, the player's memory management routines become corrupted through heap overflow conditions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability specifically affects the heap memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Shockwave Player for content delivery, as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution, meaning that attackers can gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Shockwave Player. The denial of service component further compounds the risk by potentially allowing attackers to disrupt services or cause system instability, creating additional attack surface opportunities for more sophisticated exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a critical memory safety issue. The attack pattern follows typical exploit methodologies described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory updates to Shockwave Player version 11.5.7.609 or later, network-based filtering to block .dir file extensions, and comprehensive endpoint protection measures. Additionally, security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions and establish monitoring protocols for potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include disabling Shockwave Player functionality in web browsers where possible, as this vulnerability primarily affects web-based execution contexts where users are exposed to untrusted content.