CVE-2012-2031 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.5.635 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-2029, CVE-2012-2030, CVE-2012-2032, and CVE-2012-2033.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.5.635 and earlier contains a memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from other related CVEs affecting the same product line. The memory corruption issue arises from improper handling of malformed input data within the Shockwave Player runtime environment, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute malicious code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability affects the player's ability to process specially crafted Shockwave content files, which can trigger buffer overflows or other memory management errors during content rendering. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious Shockwave content through web browsers or other applications that utilize the Shockwave Player plugin. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation as the vulnerability can also be leveraged to cause denial of service conditions by corrupting memory structures in ways that crash the application or render it unstable. This particular vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with multimedia player software that processes untrusted content, where memory safety issues can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in client-side applications that handle rich media content. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework, where memory corruption flaws represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of vulnerabilities in client-side software. The security implications of this vulnerability extend to enterprise environments where Shockwave Player may be deployed across multiple systems, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or disrupt business operations through denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the Shockwave Player's insufficient validation of input parameters during content parsing operations, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate memory layouts through carefully crafted Shockwave files. This memory corruption vulnerability can be classified under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions or CWE-787 as out-of-bounds write conditions, depending on the specific exploitation vector. The attack surface is broad since Shockwave Player was widely deployed across various platforms and integrated into numerous web applications, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw indicates that attackers do not require local system access to exploit the weakness, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability operates through memory corruption mechanisms that can be triggered during normal playback operations, meaning users can be compromised simply by viewing malicious content. The exploitation techniques often involve creating specially formatted Shockwave files that, when processed by the vulnerable player, cause memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution. This represents a classic example of a client-side vulnerability that can be leveraged through social engineering campaigns, where users are tricked into visiting compromised websites or opening malicious email attachments containing malicious Shockwave content. The vulnerability's presence in widely used software platforms makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to maximize their attack surface and potential impact.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management procedures, as Adobe released version 11.6.5.635 to address the memory corruption issues. System administrators should implement network segmentation and web filtering measures to prevent access to known malicious Shockwave content, while also monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software across all endpoints, particularly for legacy multimedia applications that may not receive continued support. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Shockwave Player and prioritize their remediation. Incident response procedures should include specific protocols for handling potential exploitation attempts, including forensic analysis of compromised systems and network monitoring for lateral movement attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it suitable for exploitation in advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers may use it as a foothold for further compromise. Organizations should also consider decommissioning Shockwave Player where possible, as the software represents a legacy technology with limited ongoing support and security updates. The security community has documented similar patterns in other multimedia player vulnerabilities, where memory corruption flaws have been exploited in targeted attacks against enterprise networks. Proper application whitelisting and user access controls can help mitigate the risk of exploitation, while regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites or opening suspicious attachments that may contain malicious Shockwave content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks associated with legacy software and the importance of maintaining comprehensive software inventory and patch management processes across all organizational systems.