CVE-2012-2047 in Shockwave
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 11.6.6.636 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-2043, CVE-2012-2044, CVE-2012-2045, and CVE-2012-2046.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2021
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.6.636 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat model from other related CVEs affecting the same product family, indicating a separate code path or implementation flaw within the Shockwave runtime environment. The memory corruption aspect suggests that attackers can manipulate heap or stack memory through crafted input data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution when the vulnerable player processes malicious content. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors implies that multiple entry points within the Shockwave Player processing pipeline could be exploited, including but not limited to file parsing, network streaming, or embedded content handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting specially formatted Shockwave content or media files that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management flaws within the player's code execution environment. When the vulnerable Shockwave Player attempts to parse or render malicious content, the memory corruption can lead to unpredictable program behavior, application crashes, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the broader Shockwave ecosystem and represents a significant risk to users who frequently encounter Shockwave content through web browsers or desktop applications. This particular flaw demonstrates the inherent security challenges in multimedia runtime environments where complex parsing logic must handle diverse input formats while maintaining memory safety.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to enterprise environments where Shockwave Player remains installed, particularly in legacy systems or applications that continue to rely on older multimedia technologies. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain full system control without user interaction, especially when users visit compromised websites or open malicious Shockwave files. The vulnerability's presence in older versions of the player creates a persistent threat vector since many organizations may not have fully migrated away from legacy Shockwave content or may have delayed security updates. Organizations should consider the broader attack surface implications, as this vulnerability could be leveraged in conjunction with other exploits or as part of multi-stage attack campaigns targeting specific user populations.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of Adobe's security patch version 11.6.6.636 or later, which addresses the specific memory corruption issues within the Shockwave Player runtime. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the vulnerable software are updated across enterprise networks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based controls to restrict access to Shockwave content, particularly when the technology is not essential for business operations. Security monitoring should include detection of attempts to execute vulnerable Shockwave content, with particular attention to file extensions and content types associated with the affected player. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Memory Location" and represents a classic memory safety issue that has been prevalent in multimedia player implementations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, potentially enabling initial access and subsequent lateral movement within compromised environments. Organizations should also consider decommissioning Shockwave Player where possible, given its declining usage and the continued presence of unpatched vulnerabilities in legacy implementations.