CVE-2007-6243 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player 9.x up to 9.0.48.0, 8.x up to 8.0.35.0, and 7.x up to 7.0.70.0 does not sufficiently restrict the interpretation and usage of cross-domain policy files, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct cross-domain and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions 9.x up to 9.0.48.0, 8.x up to 8.0.35.0, and 7.x up to 7.0.70.0 contain a critical security flaw in their cross-domain policy file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on how Flash Player interprets and processes cross-domain policy files, which are essential for controlling access between different domains and preventing unauthorized data access. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate these policy files in ways that bypass intended security boundaries, creating dangerous attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit web applications that rely on Flash content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper parsing and validation of cross-domain policy files, particularly those used in conjunction with ActionScript's security model. When Flash Player encounters a cross-domain policy file, it should strictly enforce the rules defined within these files to prevent unauthorized access between domains. However, the vulnerable versions fail to properly validate or restrict the interpretation of these policy files, allowing attackers to craft malicious policy files or manipulate existing ones to grant unauthorized access to sensitive resources. This weakness directly relates to CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically in the context of improper handling of security policies and access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables sophisticated cross-domain attacks that can bypass standard web security restrictions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform cross-site scripting attacks by manipulating how Flash Player handles cross-domain communication, potentially leading to data theft, session hijacking, or arbitrary code execution within the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that use Flash Player for rich internet applications, media playback, or interactive content, where cross-domain communication is frequently required. This makes the attack surface particularly broad, as any application using vulnerable Flash Player versions becomes susceptible to these attacks, especially when users visit malicious websites or interact with compromised content.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple XSS attacks, as it fundamentally undermines the security model that Flash Player relies on to protect users from malicious cross-domain access attempts. Attackers can exploit this weakness to create malicious Flash applications that can access resources from different domains than originally intended, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, cookies, or authentication tokens. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script-based attacks, and T1566, which addresses malicious file execution through social engineering. Organizations using Flash Player in their web applications or content delivery systems should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions, implementing additional network-level restrictions, and monitoring for suspicious cross-domain policy file access patterns to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.