CVE-2007-3456 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Flash Player 9.0.45.0 and earlier might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large length value for a (1) Long string or (2) XML variable type in a crafted (a) FLV or (b) SWF file, related to an "input validation error," including a signed comparison of values that are assumed to be non-negative.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3456 represents a critical integer overflow condition within Adobe Flash Player versions 9.0.45.0 and earlier, which creates a remote code execution risk for affected systems. This flaw manifests when processing crafted FLV or SWF files containing maliciously constructed data structures that exploit improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of Long string and XML variable types where large length values are processed, creating conditions where signed integer comparisons fail to properly validate input parameters.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an input validation error that occurs during the parsing of multimedia content within Flash Player. When the player encounters a crafted SWF or FLV file containing oversized length values for string or XML variables, it fails to properly validate these values against expected ranges. This allows attackers to manipulate the signed comparison operations that assume all values are non-negative, leading to situations where integer overflow occurs during memory allocation calculations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-190 as an integer overflow, specifically involving signed integer overflow that can result in buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to users of affected Flash Player versions, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage or opening a compromised file. Attackers can craft malicious FLV or SWF files that, when processed by vulnerable Flash Player installations, trigger the integer overflow condition. This creates opportunities for privilege escalation, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments where Flash Player is commonly used for multimedia content delivery. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core parsing layer of the Flash Player, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard user awareness measures.
The impact of CVE-2007-3456 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as it represents a fundamental flaw in how Flash Player handles input validation for multimedia content processing. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the high-risk category of cybersecurity threats, particularly in enterprise environments where Flash Player remains widely deployed despite its deprecation. Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including disabling Flash Player functionality, deploying patches when available, and monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in multimedia processing frameworks, as highlighted by industry standards that emphasize secure coding practices for handling user-supplied data in memory management operations.