CVE-2011-2117 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-2011-2114, 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 code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from other related issues affecting the same software ecosystem, including CVE-2011-2114, CVE-2011-2124, CVE-2011-2127, and CVE-2011-2128, which indicates that multiple memory corruption issues exist within the Shockwave Player codebase. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during Shockwave content processing, where attackers can craft malicious Shockwave files that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption when the player attempts to parse or execute these files. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common indicators of memory corruption flaws. The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant as Shockwave Player was widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can result in complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this memory corruption flaw to inject malicious code into the Shockwave Player process, potentially escalating privileges or establishing persistent backdoors on affected systems. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can be equally damaging, as it allows attackers to crash the Shockwave Player application or even the entire operating system through carefully crafted malicious content. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the exploitation may involve executing malicious code within the context of the player application. The memory corruption nature of this vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploit for privilege escalation, particularly when attackers can leverage the corrupted memory state to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with organizations implementing mandatory updates to Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626 or later. Network-based defenses such as content filtering and sandboxing of Shockwave content can provide additional layers of protection, particularly in enterprise environments where Shockwave content may be encountered in web browsers or email attachments. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous behavior in Shockwave Player processes, including unexpected memory allocation patterns or unusual network activity. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Shockwave Player unless explicitly authorized, as this reduces the attack surface for memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue necessitates regular security assessments of the Shockwave Player installation and its integration with other browser plugins or applications. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, as the attack vectors are often difficult to detect through conventional means and may be exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting users who encounter malicious Shockwave content in web browsing or email environments.