CVE-2010-4194 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
The dirapi.dll module in 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 • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4194 resides within the dirapi.dll module of Adobe Shockwave Player versions prior to 11.5.9.620, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through unspecified input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of software flaws that permit attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted input data, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to compromise systems. The issue is particularly concerning given Shockwave Player's widespread deployment across enterprise and consumer environments, making it an attractive target for exploit development. The unspecified nature of the input validation failure suggests a complex interaction between multiple data streams or processing pathways that the module fails to properly sanitize, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or input sanitization failure pattern, where the dirapi.dll module processes external data without adequate validation mechanisms. This type of flaw typically occurs when applications fail to properly check data boundaries, validate data types, or enforce proper input constraints before processing user-supplied information. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common manifestations of improper input validation. Attackers can leverage this weakness through various attack vectors that remain unspecified in the CVE description, potentially including malformed Shockwave content, specially crafted web pages, or malicious files that trigger the vulnerable code path when processed by the affected Shockwave Player version.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4194 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. When successful, this vulnerability allows adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially enabling privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further network reconnaissance. The attack surface is amplified by Shockwave Player's integration with web browsers and its ability to process content from untrusted sources, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, T1068 for local privilege escalation, and T1566 for social engineering through malicious content delivery. The long-term implications include potential persistence mechanisms and lateral movement capabilities that could be exploited by advanced persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4194 should prioritize immediate patch deployment, as Adobe released version 11.5.9.620 to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular security updates, browser security hardening, and network monitoring for exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should also incorporate application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Shockwave content, alongside network segmentation and firewall rules that restrict access to known malicious domains. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections, unexpected code execution, and system behavior anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted Shockwave content and maintaining current security software to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in the broader software ecosystem.