CVE-2015-7649 in Shockwave Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave Player before 12.2.1.171 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
Adobe Shockwave Player version 12.2.1.171 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability exists due to improper handling of malformed data structures within the player's processing pipeline, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the Shockwave runtime environment could be exploited, including but not limited to file parsing, network protocol handling, or interactive content execution. The memory corruption aspect indicates that attackers can manipulate heap or stack memory layouts to overwrite critical program structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Memory Space and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory locations beyond intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because Shockwave Player was widely distributed and often executed within web browsers or standalone environments where it could be triggered through malicious web content or downloaded files. The attack surface extends beyond traditional web exploitation to include email attachments, instant messaging, and other vector where Shockwave content might be embedded or triggered.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is severe as it affects a widely deployed multimedia player that was commonly used in enterprise environments, educational institutions, and consumer applications. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete system control without requiring local access, making it particularly attractive for advanced persistent threat actors. The denial of service component provides attackers with additional attack options, allowing them to disrupt services through system crashes or resource exhaustion. Organizations running affected versions of Shockwave Player face significant risk exposure, especially in environments where users may encounter malicious content through legitimate business processes or web browsing activities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and application updates to version 12.2.1.171 or later, which includes memory safety improvements and enhanced input validation. Network administrators should implement strict content filtering and sandboxing measures for Shockwave content, particularly in enterprise environments where the player might be used in conjunction with web applications or business-critical systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning and assessment of all systems running affected versions, with particular attention to legacy systems that may have been upgraded but still contain outdated Shockwave components. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory access patterns or network traffic anomalies that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Shockwave Player to trusted environments and remove unnecessary installations from systems where the application is not required for business operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia applications and highlights the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to be used despite known security issues.