CVE-2017-2983 in Shockwave
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Shockwave versions 12.2.7.197 and earlier have an insecure library loading (DLL hijacking) vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to escalation of privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
Adobe Shockwave contains a critical insecure library loading vulnerability that stems from improper handling of dynamic link library (dll) resolution during application execution. This flaw exists in versions 12.2.7.197 and earlier, where the software fails to properly validate and restrict the paths from which it loads dynamic libraries. The vulnerability manifests when Shockwave attempts to load required dll components and searches through multiple directories in an insecure order, allowing malicious actors to place crafted malicious dll files in directories that are searched before the legitimate system directories. This insecure library loading behavior creates a path traversal scenario where attackers can manipulate the library loading process to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-427 and CWE-428, which address insecure library loading and uncontrolled search path issues respectively. These weaknesses enable attackers to leverage the application's normal execution flow to load malicious components instead of legitimate ones. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where Shockwave applications typically run with user privileges, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to execute code within the context of the victim's session. The flaw is especially concerning because Shockwave was widely deployed across enterprise environments and personal computers, amplifying the potential impact of exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Shockwave content, as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web content, email attachments, or compromised websites. The exploitation process typically requires an attacker to place a malicious dll file in a location that will be searched before the legitimate Shockwave libraries, often leveraging the default search order of the operating system. The privilege escalation aspect means that even if users run Shockwave with standard user permissions, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how legacy software can contain fundamental security flaws that persist across multiple versions.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Adobe Shockwave version 12.2.8.0 or later, which contains fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict which Shockwave versions can execute on company systems. Network-level controls such as content filtering and web proxies can help prevent users from accessing malicious content that might exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts, particularly unusual dll loading patterns or unexpected privilege escalation events. The remediation process should also include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Shockwave and ensuring proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent future occurrences of similar issues. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against insecure library loading attacks.