CVE-2010-1292 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
The implementation of pami RIFF chunk parsing 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 versions prior to 11.5.7.609 contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in their RIFF chunk parsing implementation that stems from insufficient input validation. This vulnerability exists within the parsing logic that processes Director files with .dir extension, which are used to deliver multimedia content through the Shockwave platform. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate a specific value extracted from the RIFF chunk header before utilizing it in subsequent file pointer arithmetic operations. This validation gap creates a condition where an attacker can craft a malicious Director file containing malformed RIFF chunk data that, when processed by the vulnerable player, leads to unpredictable memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic buffer overflow attack vector where the attacker manipulates the RIFF chunk size field to trigger incorrect pointer calculations during file parsing. When the Shockwave Player attempts to allocate memory or perform file operations based on the manipulated size value, it can result in memory corruption that allows arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the actual implementation involves heap corruption due to improper pointer arithmetic. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web-based attacks where users unknowingly download and open malicious Director files, making it a prime target for drive-by download campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable Shockwave Player versions, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The memory corruption can also result in application crashes or system instability, creating denial of service scenarios that disrupt legitimate user activities. This vulnerability affects the broader Shockwave ecosystem since Director files are commonly distributed through web portals and corporate networks, amplifying the attack surface. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that Shockwave Player was widely deployed across various platforms, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking broad impact.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory updates to Shockwave Player versions 11.5.7.609 and later, which contain the patched RIFF chunk parsing logic. Network administrators should consider blocking or quarantining Director files from untrusted sources and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of potentially malicious content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file parsing activities and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the end-of-life status of Shockwave Player, organizations should also plan for complete deprecation of the platform and migration to modern web standards to eliminate exposure to such legacy vulnerabilities.