CVE-2010-2864 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
IML32.dll in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.8.612 does not properly parse .dir files, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or execute arbitrary code via a malformed file containing an invalid value, as demonstrated by a value at position 0x24C6 of a certain file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.8.612 and earlier contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in the IML32.dll component that affects the parsing of .dir files. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and memory handling within the Shockwave Player's file processing logic, specifically when encountering malformed .dir files that contain invalid values at specific memory offsets. The flaw occurs at position 0x24C6 within the file structure, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data before processing it, leading to potential memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be triggered through crafted malicious files, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's memory state and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of file structures within the Shockwave Player's runtime environment, which operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, describing heap-based buffer overflow conditions. Attackers can craft specially formatted .dir files that contain malicious data at the specific offset mentioned in the vulnerability, causing the application to attempt to read or write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable application behavior, including crashes that manifest as denial of service conditions, or more severe exploitation scenarios where attackers can inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space. The vulnerability's remote exploitability is particularly concerning as it requires no local privileges and can be delivered through web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Shockwave Player process, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise depending on the user's permissions. The vulnerability affects users who have Adobe Shockwave Player installed, particularly those who browse the internet or open files from untrusted sources, making it a significant threat vector for targeted attacks. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the widespread deployment of Shockwave Player across various operating systems, including windows platforms that may be running outdated versions of the software. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and evaluate the potential for lateral movement through compromised systems that have Shockwave Player installed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patch management protocols, as Adobe has released security patches to address this specific issue in version 11.5.8.612 and later. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in enterprise environments where Shockwave Player may be deployed across multiple devices. Network-based mitigations can include implementing web content filtering and sandboxing techniques to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious Shockwave content, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file execution patterns. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute code within the application's runtime environment. Organizations should also consider disabling Shockwave Player functionality where possible, particularly in environments where the software is not required for business operations, to reduce the attack surface and minimize potential exploitation opportunities.