CVE-2010-4093 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.9.620 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0555, CVE-2010-4187, CVE-2010-4190, CVE-2010-4191, CVE-2010-4192, and CVE-2010-4306.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2024
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.9.620 and earlier contains a memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from several other reported issues affecting the same software ecosystem. The memory corruption occurs when the player processes specially crafted content, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's privileges. The vulnerability affects systems running affected versions of Adobe Shockwave Player across multiple operating systems where the software is installed. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious Shockwave content through web browsers or other applications that invoke the Shockwave player. The flaw manifests as an improper handling of memory resources during content parsing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious instructions. This vulnerability directly impacts the software's ability to maintain secure memory boundaries and can be leveraged to bypass security mechanisms that rely on proper memory management. The memory corruption issue allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow through buffer overflows or heap corruption techniques, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation and memory handling within the Shockwave Player's content processing engine. When parsing Shockwave files, the player fails to properly validate the structure and size of data elements, leading to memory corruption conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from a lack of bounds checking during the parsing of multimedia content, specifically in how the player handles compressed or encoded data structures. This type of flaw is classified as a memory corruption vulnerability under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, typically categorized as CWE-121 or CWE-122 depending on the specific memory access violation pattern. The attack surface is broad since Shockwave Player is frequently installed on desktop systems and can be invoked through web browsers, email attachments, or other delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through casual web browsing or email interaction. Security researchers have identified that the flaw exists in the player's multimedia processing pipeline where it fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation operations during content rendering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the Shockwave Player, which typically corresponds to the local user account. This capability allows for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and the installation of additional malicious software. The vulnerability affects organizations where Shockwave Player is commonly deployed, including enterprise environments where legacy multimedia applications remain in use. Network security teams must consider this vulnerability when assessing their attack surface, particularly in environments where older multimedia content or legacy applications are still actively used. The impact is particularly severe in environments where users have administrative privileges or where the Shockwave Player is configured to automatically execute content without user confirmation. The vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery methods including malicious web pages, email attachments, or compromised websites that serve Shockwave content. Organizations may experience significant security incidents if this vulnerability remains unpatched, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for gaining unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive security monitoring. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.9.620 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory corruption issue. System administrators should implement automated patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Shockwave content. Disabling Shockwave Player functionality in web browsers or removing the plugin entirely can serve as an effective temporary mitigation measure while patches are deployed. Security monitoring should include detection of attempts to access or execute Shockwave content from untrusted sources, with particular attention to unusual file access patterns or memory allocation behaviors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the compromised system to execute additional malicious payloads. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments should include verification of Shockwave Player installations and their update status. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits and provide real-time threat detection capabilities.