CVE-2011-2121 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.0.626 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.0.626 and earlier contains a critical integer overflow vulnerability that enables remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors. This flaw resides in the player's handling of integer values during memory allocation or buffer operations, where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause arithmetic overflow conditions that result in memory corruption. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which represents a fundamental weakness in data processing where integer arithmetic operations produce values that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous when considering that Shockwave Player was widely distributed and executed within web browsers, making it an attractive target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious Shockwave content that triggers integer overflow conditions during the processing of multimedia elements or script execution. When the player attempts to allocate memory or process data structures, the overflow can corrupt adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses. This memory corruption can then be leveraged to redirect execution flow to attacker-controlled code, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution on the target system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through various methods including web-based attacks, file-based exploits, or network-based delivery mechanisms, making it particularly challenging to defend against completely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass broader security implications for enterprise environments that relied on Shockwave Player for multimedia content delivery. Organizations using older versions of the player faced significant risk of compromise from attackers who could exploit this flaw to install malware, establish backdoors, or perform lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed player application meant that successful exploitation could affect numerous endpoints simultaneously, particularly in environments where users frequently visited websites containing malicious Shockwave content. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could potentially use the compromised system to execute additional malicious commands or scripts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to version 11.6.0.626 or later, which incorporates patches addressing the integer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of Shockwave Player are updated across their infrastructure, particularly given the widespread use of this technology in enterprise environments. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection by blocking malicious Shockwave content from reaching end users. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and avoiding legacy software components that may contain unpatched security flaws, as this represents a classic example of how outdated multimedia plugins can serve as persistent attack vectors in enterprise security environments.