CVE-2010-4309 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.1.629 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-4308.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.1.629 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 CVE-2010-4308, indicating separate code paths or implementation issues within the Shockwave Player component. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the player's handling of Shockwave content, particularly when processing malformed or specially crafted multimedia files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious Shockwave content through web browsers or other applications that utilize the Shockwave Player plugin. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing or rendering of Shockwave multimedia files, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite memory locations and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the Shockwave Player. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions. The attack surface extends to any system running affected versions of Shockwave Player, including those that have not yet been patched. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and control, as exploitation could lead to persistent access. The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, data theft, or service disruption. System administrators should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, disable Shockwave Player where possible, and implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls to block malicious Shockwave content. Additionally, endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits, particularly those targeting multimedia plugins.
The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with legacy multimedia plugins that continue to receive support despite known security weaknesses. Shockwave Player's architecture, which processes complex multimedia content including scripting and animation, creates numerous potential entry points for attackers. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple code paths within the player could be exploited, making comprehensive patching essential. The memory corruption aspect indicates that the vulnerability likely involves heap-based buffer overflows or similar issues that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability may be triggered through various Shockwave file formats including .dir, .dcr, and other multimedia containers. The exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate user access, as attackers can leverage the existing Shockwave Player installation to execute malicious code. The attack complexity is relatively low, as it does not require sophisticated exploitation techniques beyond crafting malicious Shockwave content. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Shockwave content, and establish monitoring procedures for unusual memory allocation patterns or system behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current security patches for multimedia plugins and the risks associated with supporting legacy software components that no longer receive security updates from vendors.
Organizations should evaluate their current Shockwave Player deployments and implement layered security controls to address this vulnerability. The patch provided by Adobe addresses the underlying memory management issues and corrects the input validation flaws that enable the exploitation. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. The vulnerability may also be relevant to ATT&CK technique T1133, which covers external remote services, as attackers could potentially leverage the vulnerability to establish persistent access through compromised systems. Network segmentation should be considered to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly in environments where Shockwave Player is still required for legacy applications. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through advanced persistent threat campaigns that may utilize sophisticated exploit frameworks. System monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns, potential heap corruption indicators, and any attempts to execute code in memory regions that should remain protected. Security policies should be updated to reflect the risks associated with Shockwave Player and establish clear procedures for identifying and removing legacy multimedia components. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing risk posed by multimedia plugins and the importance of maintaining current security practices, including regular patch management and software inventory management. Organizations should also consider transitioning away from legacy Shockwave content to modern web standards such as html5 and javascript-based multimedia solutions to reduce attack surface and eliminate exposure to vulnerabilities in deprecated software components.