CVE-2007-0071 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Flash Player 9.0.115.0 and earlier, and 8.0.39.0 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SWF file with a negative Scene Count value, which passes a signed comparison, is used as an offset of a NULL pointer, and triggers a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0071 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Flash Player versions 9.0.115.0 and earlier, as well as version 8.0.39.0 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which occurs when a program performs arithmetic operations on integer values that exceed the maximum representable value for that data type. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of Scene Count values within SWF file parsing, where a crafted negative value can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability begins with the creation of a malicious SWF file containing a negative Scene Count value that is processed by the vulnerable Flash Player. When the Flash Player parses this value, it performs a signed comparison operation that allows the negative value to pass validation checks. This validated negative value is then used as an offset for a NULL pointer, which creates a dangerous condition where memory operations occur at unpredictable locations. The underlying mechanism relies on the fact that when a negative integer is used as an array index or memory offset, it can cause the application to attempt to write data beyond the intended buffer boundaries, resulting in a classic buffer overflow condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and allows remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. The buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other control flow data. This enables attackers to redirect program execution to malicious code payloads that they have injected into the memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised SWF file, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns. The exploit can be delivered through various attack vectors including web browsers, email attachments, or malicious websites that host the crafted SWF content.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected Adobe Flash Player installations, as Adobe released security updates to address this specific integer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems running Flash Player receive the necessary security updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can block access to known malicious SWF files or domains hosting exploit content. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation techniques can also reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper integer handling in application code, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly simple input validation flaws can lead to complete system compromise, emphasizing the need for robust software security practices throughout the development lifecycle.
The broader implications of CVE-2007-0071 extend beyond the immediate exploitation scenario to highlight fundamental security weaknesses in multimedia processing libraries and browser plugins. This vulnerability contributed to the growing awareness of the security risks associated with rich media content and led to increased scrutiny of Flash Player's security model. The incident reinforced industry best practices regarding memory safety and input validation, influencing subsequent security standards and development methodologies. Organizations that failed to patch this vulnerability were exposed to significant risk of compromise, as the exploit could be easily automated and deployed at scale, making it a preferred target for cybercriminals operating in the black market for exploits and malware delivery.