CVE-2009-1870 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 9.0.246.0 and 10.x before 10.0.32.18, and Adobe AIR before 1.5.2, allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via vectors involving saving an SWF file to a hard drive, related to a "local sandbox vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2021
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 9.0.246.0 and 10.x versions before 10.0.32.18, along with Adobe AIR before version 1.5.2, contained a critical local sandbox vulnerability that enabled attackers to bypass security restrictions and access sensitive information. This vulnerability specifically exploited the improper handling of local file system operations within the Flash Player's security model, allowing malicious SWF files to save content to the local hard drive without proper authorization. The flaw existed in the sandbox implementation that governs how Flash content interacts with local resources, creating a path for unauthorized file system access that could potentially expose user data, system files, or application-specific information stored locally on the victim's machine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involved crafting malicious SWF files that could manipulate the local file system through improper sandbox restrictions. Attackers could leverage this weakness to save files to locations on the victim's hard drive that would otherwise be protected by the Flash Player's security model. This local sandbox violation allowed for the creation of malicious files in system directories or user folders, potentially enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or information disclosure. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it operated at the local file system level, meaning that once exploited, it could provide attackers with access to files that were normally protected by the operating system's security mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple information disclosure, as it provided attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the local environment. When Flash Player executed malicious SWF content, the vulnerability allowed unauthorized file system operations that could lead to data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, or the installation of additional malicious payloads. The attack vector specifically involved the saving of SWF files to local storage, which created a persistent threat that could be leveraged across multiple sessions. This vulnerability was particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Flash Player was commonly used for web applications, as it could enable attackers to access sensitive corporate data or system information stored locally on employee machines.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-255, which addresses issues related to credentials management, and represents a classic example of sandbox escape techniques that have been documented in various threat intelligence reports. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," though the specific local file system exploitation requires additional context. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to update Flash Player and AIR to versions that address this sandbox violation. The recommended mitigation includes not only updating to patched versions but also implementing network-level controls to restrict Flash content execution where possible, as well as monitoring for suspicious file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling Flash Player entirely in environments where it is not strictly required, as the vulnerability landscape for Flash Player has significantly increased over time, with many more similar issues discovered since this particular vulnerability was first identified.