CVE-2007-6242 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player 9.0.48.0 and earlier might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, related to "input validation errors."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
Adobe Flash Player versions 9.0.48.0 and earlier contain an unspecified vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to users and organizations. This vulnerability falls under the category of input validation errors, which represents a critical weakness in the software's ability to properly validate and sanitize user inputs. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability means that the exact technical mechanism by which exploitation occurs has not been fully disclosed, but the potential for remote code execution makes this a severe concern for system security. The vulnerability exists within the core input processing mechanisms of the Flash Player runtime environment, where insufficient validation allows malicious inputs to bypass normal security checks.
The technical flaw manifests as inadequate input validation within the Flash Player's processing pipeline, creating opportunities for attackers to craft specially malformed inputs that can trigger unexpected behavior in the application. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web browsers or other applications that utilize Flash content, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The input validation errors likely occur during the parsing or processing of Flash content, media files, or embedded data streams, where the software fails to properly validate the integrity and safety of incoming data. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that allows attackers to manipulate application behavior through malformed inputs. The attack surface is broad since Flash Player was widely deployed across different platforms and applications, making it an attractive target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual user systems, as it represents a critical attack vector that can compromise entire networks and organizational infrastructures. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. The nature of Flash Player's integration with web browsers means that exploitation can occur simply by visiting a malicious website or viewing compromised Flash content, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently access untrusted web content. Organizations that continue to use vulnerable versions of Flash Player face significant risk of targeted attacks, as threat actors can easily craft exploits for this known vulnerability. The potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement within networks makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals managing large-scale deployments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by Adobe. Organizations must prioritize updating all instances of Flash Player to versions that address this vulnerability, as continued use of vulnerable versions exposes systems to known exploitation techniques. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block Flash content where possible, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. Security monitoring should include detection of attempts to access vulnerable Flash Player versions, and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Flash content. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution, making it a critical target for defensive security measures. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious Flash Player behavior and prevent exploitation attempts. The broader security community should treat this vulnerability as a reminder of the risks associated with legacy software and the importance of maintaining secure software inventories to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.