CVE-2010-4195 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
The TextXtra 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 • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4195 resides within the TextXtra 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 input validation failures that have historically proven to be among the most dangerous attack vectors in software applications. The TextXtra module serves as a component within Shockwave Player that handles text-based data processing and manipulation, making it a prime target for exploitation when input validation is inadequate.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient validation of unspecified input data that flows through the TextXtra module, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This type of vulnerability typically manifests when software fails to properly sanitize or validate data received from external sources, allowing crafted inputs to bypass security checks and execute unintended operations. The unspecified nature of the input vectors suggests that multiple attack surfaces within the TextXtra module could be exploited, potentially including various data formats, file types, or communication protocols that the module processes. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow or injection attack scenario where improper input handling creates an execution environment for malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4195 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain full control over affected systems running vulnerable versions of Shockwave Player. This vulnerability has been classified under CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation," and aligns with multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Shockwave Player was widely distributed and used for multimedia content delivery across various platforms, making the potential impact of exploitation widespread and significant. Organizations relying on Shockwave Player for content delivery or interactive applications faced substantial risk of compromise when systems were running vulnerable versions, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based delivery, email attachments, or malicious websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4195 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation attempts. Adobe released version 11.5.9.620 of Shockwave Player which addressed this vulnerability through enhanced input validation mechanisms within the TextXtra module. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of this security update across all affected systems, while also implementing network-level controls to block access to potentially malicious Shockwave content. Additional mitigations include disabling Shockwave Player where possible, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious network activity or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive patch management procedures to protect against known security flaws that could enable remote code execution attacks.