CVE-2012-0758 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.4.634 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The CVE-2012-0758 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in Adobe Shockwave Player versions prior to 11.6.4.634, presenting a significant security risk that could enable remote code execution. This vulnerability specifically affects the Shockwave Player component that handles multimedia content delivery, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of Shockwave-enabled web applications and content. The flaw exists within the player's memory management system where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the Shockwave Player's parsing mechanisms. When the player processes specially crafted Shockwave content, the buffer overflow occurs in heap memory structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers and overwrite critical program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that Shockwave content was commonly embedded in web pages, making it accessible through standard web browsing activities without requiring specialized attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this flaw to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires social engineering to convince users to view malicious Shockwave content, often delivered through compromised websites or malicious email attachments. The widespread deployment of Shockwave Player across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms, meant that this vulnerability could affect a large user base, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking maximum impact.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-0758 primarily focus on immediate remediation through patching Adobe Shockwave Player to version 11.6.4.634 or later, which addresses the heap overflow conditions through improved input validation and memory management. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to block malicious Shockwave content. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites and opening suspicious email attachments remains crucial. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures including application whitelisting and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia plugins and avoiding deprecated technologies that may contain unpatched security flaws.