CVE-2010-2869 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 0x3712 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 specifically affects the parsing of .dir files. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the Shockwave Player's file processing engine, creating a pathway for remote code execution and denial of service conditions. The flaw manifests when the application encounters malformed .dir files containing invalid data at specific memory offsets, particularly at position 0x3712, which triggers unpredictable memory corruption patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking during the parsing of directory files, allowing attackers to craft malicious .dir files that exploit memory layout assumptions within the IML32.dll library. When Shockwave Player processes these specially crafted files, the application fails to validate the integrity of data structures at critical memory locations, leading to stack or heap corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability is facilitated by the fact that Shockwave Player automatically processes .dir files when they are encountered during web browsing or media playback scenarios, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Shockwave Player remains installed, as it can be exploited through simple web page visits or file downloads without requiring user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. The memory corruption patterns associated with this flaw can result in application crashes, system instability, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context and target environment. Security researchers have classified this issue as a high-risk vulnerability due to its remote exploitability and potential for privilege escalation, particularly in environments where users have administrative rights or where the application runs with elevated privileges.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling Shockwave Player plugins in web browsers, applying the vendor-provided patch version 11.5.8.612 or later, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Shockwave Player and establish monitoring procedures for suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation, as it demonstrates the persistent security risks associated with legacy multimedia plugins that continue to receive limited security updates. This flaw underscores the importance of maintaining current security practices including regular patch management, application whitelisting, and comprehensive endpoint protection strategies to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in outdated software components. Organizations should consider migrating away from Shockwave Player entirely, as the platform has been deprecated and no longer receives security updates from Adobe, leaving systems vulnerable to continued exploitation attempts.