CVE-2010-4193 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.9.620 does not properly validate unspecified input data, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2025
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.9.620 and earlier contains a critical vulnerability in its input validation mechanisms that enables remote code execution attacks. This flaw exists within the player's handling of unspecified input data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and validation processes that fail to properly inspect or filter incoming data streams, allowing attackers to craft specially malformed input that triggers unexpected behavior within the application's processing pipeline. The unspecified nature of the input data validation issue suggests that multiple data types or input sources may be affected, potentially including multimedia content, configuration files, or network streams that Shockwave Player processes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, indicating that the improper input validation could lead to memory corruption scenarios. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Shockwave Player's widespread deployment across enterprise and consumer environments, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access to systems. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web content, email attachments, or compromised websites that deliver Shockwave content designed to trigger the memory corruption. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that Shockwave Player often runs with elevated privileges when processing content, potentially allowing successful code execution with system-level access. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability can be leveraged through the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, specifically targeting the player's ability to execute embedded scripts. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as attackers can establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within compromised networks. Organizations running affected versions of Shockwave Player face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content or receive email attachments from unknown sources. The vulnerability's remediation requires immediate patching to version 11.5.9.620 or later, which includes enhanced input validation routines and improved memory management practices. Security teams should implement network-based mitigations such as blocking Shockwave content at network perimeters and disabling Shockwave plugin execution in web browsers where possible. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of executing untrusted Shockwave content remains crucial, as social engineering attacks often exploit user trust to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate channels. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of legacy software components that continue to receive usage in modern computing environments. Organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running affected Shockwave Player versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly, given the potential for zero-day exploitation and the difficulty in detecting such attacks due to the legitimate nature of Shockwave content delivery.