CVE-2010-4089 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
IML32.dll in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.9.615 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a .dir file containing "duplicated LCSM entries in mmap record," a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-4087.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.9.615 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability in the IML32.dll component that enables remote code execution or denial of service when processing specially crafted .dir files. This vulnerability specifically manifests through duplicated LCSM entries within mmap records, creating a distinct attack vector from CVE-2010-4087 which affects different components of the same software. The flaw occurs during the parsing of multimedia content where the application fails to properly validate the structure of memory mapping records, leading to improper memory handling when encountering malformed LCSM entries. When a maliciously crafted .dir file is loaded, the duplicated entries cause the application to overwrite memory locations or corrupt heap structures, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. This vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption, aligning with CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The attack surface is significant as Shockwave Player was widely distributed and used for multimedia content delivery across various platforms, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users might encounter malicious content through web browsers or email attachments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of memory mapping structures within the Shockwave Player's multimedia parsing engine. When the IML32.dll component encounters a mmap record containing duplicated LCSM entries, the memory allocation and data copying routines fail to account for the abnormal structure, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code. The vulnerability is classified under the broader category of memory safety issues that affect multimedia processing libraries and can be exploited through social engineering techniques where users are诱导 to open malicious .dir files. Attackers can craft .dir files with carefully constructed duplicated LCSM entries that, when processed by the vulnerable Shockwave Player, trigger the memory corruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through legitimate web browsing activities without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation techniques beyond the initial delivery mechanism.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4089 extends beyond simple denial of service to include full system compromise when successfully exploited. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Shockwave Player face significant risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged for remote code execution attacks, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to affected systems. The memory corruption can result in application crashes or more severe consequences including privilege escalation, especially when the application runs with elevated privileges. Security teams must consider the widespread deployment of Shockwave Player across enterprise networks, as the vulnerability affects systems that may not be regularly updated due to compatibility concerns or legacy application dependencies. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of remote services and T1059 which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, making it a critical concern for incident response teams. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a known exploit that can be weaponized by threat actors without requiring advanced technical skills.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4089 focus on immediate remediation through patch deployment and operational security measures. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.9.615 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate mmap record structures and prevent memory corruption from duplicated LCSM entries. Network administrators should implement content filtering measures to block .dir file attachments and prevent automatic execution of Shockwave content in web browsers. Organizations should also consider disabling Shockwave Player entirely if the application is not required for business operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious .dir file access patterns and implementing sandboxing techniques for multimedia content processing. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping multimedia plugins updated and demonstrates how legacy applications can pose significant security risks when not properly maintained. Security professionals should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running older versions of Shockwave Player and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality.