CVE-2010-2879 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the allocator in the TextXtra.x32 module in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.8.612 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) element count or (2) element size value in a file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2879 represents a critical security flaw within Adobe Shockwave Player's memory allocation mechanisms, specifically affecting versions prior to 11.5.8.612. This vulnerability resides in the TextXtra.x32 module, which is responsible for handling text-based data structures within the Shockwave Player environment. The flaw manifests as multiple integer overflows that occur during the allocation process, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted malicious files. These integer overflows fundamentally compromise the integrity of the heap memory management system, enabling attackers to manipulate memory allocation parameters in ways that were not anticipated by the original software design.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted file contains specially constructed element count or element size values that exceed the maximum limits of integer data types used in the allocation routines. When the TextXtra.x32 module processes these values, the integer overflows cause the allocator to miscalculate the amount of memory to allocate, leading to heap memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and more broadly under CWE-122, which deals with heap-based buffer overflows. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve arbitrary code execution or denial of service.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2879 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the heap memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Attackers can craft malicious Shockwave files that, when opened by an unpatched Shockwave Player, trigger the integer overflows and subsequently gain remote code execution capabilities. This represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Shockwave content might be encountered in web browsers or embedded applications. The vulnerability affects systems running Adobe Shockwave Player versions before 11.5.8.612, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of Shockwave technology across various platforms and applications. Organizations relying on Shockwave Player for multimedia content delivery face substantial risk of compromise, as the exploitation can occur through simple web browsing or file opening activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond the initial execution of the malicious content.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability centers on immediate patch deployment, with Adobe releasing version 11.5.8.612 to address the integer overflow conditions in the TextXtra.x32 module. System administrators should prioritize updating all instances of Shockwave Player to the patched version to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent access to untrusted Shockwave content, particularly in enterprise environments where the attack surface can be reduced by limiting exposure to potentially malicious files. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in memory management routines, reinforcing industry best practices for secure coding as outlined in standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT Secure Coding Standards. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential integer overflow conditions within their software ecosystems, as similar flaws may exist in other components that handle dynamic memory allocation. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the memory management fixes do not introduce regressions in existing functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to protect against this specific class of vulnerability.