CVE-2011-2114 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
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-2011-2117, CVE-2011-2124, CVE-2011-2127, and CVE-2011-2128.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626 and earlier contains a memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from other related issues within the same year, indicating that the memory corruption occurs through different code paths or mechanisms than the previously identified vulnerabilities. The unspecified vectors suggest that attackers could potentially exploit this weakness through various means including malformed Shockwave content, manipulated file structures, or corrupted data streams that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption during player processing. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the context of common software security flaws that can lead to privilege escalation, remote code execution, or system instability. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web browsers or other applications that embed Shockwave content, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers. The memory corruption aspect indicates that the player's handling of certain data structures or input validation mechanisms fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents or overwrite critical program data. Such vulnerabilities typically fall under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, or CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common pathways for memory corruption exploits. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service scenarios where the memory corruption could cause the application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the Shockwave player unusable. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to users who frequently encounter Shockwave content through web browsers, desktop applications, or multimedia presentations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Shockwave Player in enterprise environments and the prevalence of legacy multimedia content that may still be actively used. Organizations that have not updated their Shockwave Player installations remain exposed to potential exploitation, as attackers can craft malicious content that triggers the memory corruption conditions. The attack patterns associated with such vulnerabilities often align with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, and T1203, which describes legitimate program execution. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly when assessing legacy software systems that continue to operate in production environments. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Adobe's security patch for Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626, which addresses the memory corruption issue through improved input validation and memory management routines. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation, browser security policies, and regular vulnerability assessments to reduce exposure to similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other Adobe products or third-party applications. System administrators should also consider disabling Shockwave Player in environments where it is not essential, as the attack surface for such legacy multimedia players remains significant despite their declining usage. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks associated with legacy software components and the importance of maintaining current security patches across all installed applications.