CVE-2011-0317 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Dirapi.dll in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.0.626 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0318, CVE-2011-0319, CVE-2011-0320, CVE-2011-0335, CVE-2011-2119, and CVE-2011-2122.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0317 affects Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626 and earlier, specifically targeting the dirapi.dll component within the software ecosystem. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables malicious actors to exploit memory corruption issues through unspecified attack vectors. The vulnerability operates within the broader context of Adobe's multimedia player software that was widely distributed across enterprise and consumer environments, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Shockwave content for interactive applications, games, and multimedia presentations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the dirapi.dll library, which is responsible for processing Shockwave Director files and managing various multimedia operations. When processing specially crafted Shockwave content, the library fails to properly validate input parameters or manage memory allocation, leading to potential buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory-related anomalies. This type of flaw typically manifests when the application attempts to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries or access invalid memory locations. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential entry points within the library's processing functions, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully characterize and defend against.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0317 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full arbitrary code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. Organizations utilizing Shockwave Player for business-critical applications face significant risk exposure, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within network environments. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software means that even organizations with robust security measures could be compromised through social engineering attacks or drive-by downloads from malicious websites hosting compromised Shockwave content. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content through legitimate business applications.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Adobe, as well as network-level defenses to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should prioritize the deployment of Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory corruption issues. Network administrators should implement content filtering solutions to block potentially malicious Shockwave content and consider disabling Shockwave Player functionality in environments where it is not essential for business operations. Additionally, security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement sandboxing techniques for any remaining Shockwave content processing. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, representing fundamental memory safety issues that require comprehensive patch management strategies. The attack surface for this vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK techniques involving initial access through malicious files and privilege escalation through code execution, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.