CVE-2011-0569 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
The Font Xtra.x32 module in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.5.9.620 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a PFR1 chunk containing an invalid size value that leads to an unexpected sign extension and a buffer overflow, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0556.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0569 affects the Font Xtra.x32 module within Adobe Shockwave Player versions prior to 11.5.9.620, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. This vulnerability specifically targets the processing of PFR1 chunks within font files, where an attacker can manipulate the chunk size value to trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory handling mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through an invalid size value within the PFR1 chunk structure that causes unexpected sign extension during processing. When the Shockwave Player attempts to parse this malformed chunk, the improper handling of the size parameter leads to a buffer overflow condition in the Font Xtra.x32 module. This overflow occurs because the application fails to properly validate the size parameter before using it to allocate memory or determine buffer boundaries, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to include full arbitrary code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. Attackers can craft malicious Shockwave content that, when loaded by an affected player version, will trigger the buffer overflow and potentially allow remote code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through application layer protocols.
The memory corruption resulting from this vulnerability can manifest in various ways depending on the execution context and system configuration. When the buffer overflow occurs, it can overwrite critical program structures, return addresses, or other memory segments that control program flow. This makes exploitation more predictable and increases the likelihood of successful arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's distinct nature from CVE-2011-0556 indicates that while both relate to Shockwave Player font processing, they target different code paths and memory handling mechanisms, requiring separate remediation approaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0569 primarily focus on updating to Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.5.9.620 or later, which contains patches specifically addressing the buffer overflow conditions in the Font Xtra.x32 module. Organizations should also implement network-based controls such as content filtering and sandboxing measures to prevent execution of potentially malicious Shockwave content. Additionally, disabling Shockwave Player functionality where possible and implementing strict access controls for content delivery can reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of malformed PFR1 chunks and unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia processing components, particularly those handling user-supplied content.