CVE-2012-6270 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player through 11.6.8.638 allows remote attackers to trigger installation of a Shockwave Player 10.4.0.025 compatibility feature via a crafted HTML document that references Shockwave content with a certain compatibility parameter, related to a "downgrading" attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
Adobe Shockwave Player version 11.6.8.638 and earlier contains a vulnerability that enables remote attackers to manipulate the player into installing an older compatibility feature version 10.4.0.025 through specially crafted HTML documents. This vulnerability represents a downgrading attack vector where malicious actors can force the system to install an older, potentially less secure version of the Shockwave Player compatibility layer. The flaw occurs when Shockwave content within HTML documents includes specific compatibility parameters that trigger the installation of the older version. This downgrading mechanism creates a security risk because older software versions often contain unpatched vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability falls under the category of software supply chain attacks and can be classified as a CWE-225 weakness related to insufficient input validation or improper handling of version parameters. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to potentially bypass security controls that rely on newer version detection mechanisms, effectively undermining the security posture of systems running affected Shockwave Player versions. The attack requires a user to interact with a malicious HTML document that contains embedded Shockwave content with specific parameters, making it a client-side exploit that relies on social engineering or compromised websites to succeed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Shockwave Player's handling of compatibility parameters within HTML documents. When the player encounters a Shockwave content reference with certain compatibility settings, it processes these parameters and may initiate an installation of the specified older version. This behavior demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient security controls around version management within the Shockwave Player software. The vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks where attackers craft HTML documents that reference Shockwave content with malicious compatibility parameters. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1190 for exploit public-facing application, as it targets a widely deployed application through web interfaces. The security implications extend beyond simple version downgrading, as older versions may contain known vulnerabilities that could be leveraged for additional attacks. The flaw essentially creates a trust relationship manipulation scenario where legitimate software installation processes are hijacked to install potentially compromised older versions, which could contain backdoors or other malicious components. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Shockwave Player is commonly deployed, as it could be used to establish persistent access through the installation of older, less secure versions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including disabling Shockwave Player functionality where possible, updating to patched versions if available, and implementing network-based controls to block access to known malicious Shockwave content. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that continue to use Shockwave Player, particularly those with older systems that may not receive regular updates. Security controls should focus on monitoring for unusual installation patterns or version changes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions that block access to Shockwave content or specific domains known to host malicious content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software update management and the risks associated with legacy software that may not receive security updates. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Shockwave Player versions and prioritize remediation efforts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could impact organizations subject to standards such as iso 27001 or nist cybersecurity framework, as it represents a failure to maintain secure software configurations. The attack scenario demonstrates how seemingly benign software features can be exploited to create security risks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of all software components. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the dangers of allowing older software versions to persist in production environments, particularly when these versions may have known security weaknesses that can be exploited through targeted attacks.