CVE-2011-2109 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Dirapi.dll in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.0.626 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player contains multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities in the Dirapi.dll component that affect versions prior to 11.6.0.626. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation during the processing of certain file format elements, specifically within the directory handling routines. The integer overflows occur when the application attempts to perform arithmetic operations on variables that exceed their maximum representable values, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, which represents a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and data type handling. Attackers can exploit these conditions by crafting malicious Shockwave files that trigger the overflow scenarios during normal player operation, potentially allowing remote code execution on vulnerable systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2109 extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a critical vector for advanced persistent threats and zero-day attacks. The vulnerability's nature allows attackers to manipulate memory layout through controlled input data, creating opportunities for stack-based buffer overflows, heap corruption, or pointer dereference issues that can be leveraged to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, where malicious code execution occurs through legitimate application interfaces. The affected Shockwave Player versions were widely deployed across enterprise environments and personal computing platforms, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through web-based attacks, email attachments, or malicious websites without requiring user interaction beyond viewing the content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2109 focus on immediate patch deployment and application lifecycle management. Organizations should prioritize updating to Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow conditions. System administrators should implement network segmentation and web filtering controls to prevent access to untrusted Shockwave content, particularly in enterprise environments where the player is not actively required. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual network traffic patterns or file access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper integer handling in application security, aligning with defense-in-depth principles outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted Shockwave content and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other legacy applications.