CVE-2017-1000174 in SWFTools
Summary
by MITRE
In SWFTools, an address access exception was found in swfdump swf_GetBits().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000174 resides within SWFTools, a collection of utilities for working with Adobe Flash SWF files. This particular flaw manifests in the swfdump utility's handling of SWF file parsing, specifically within the swf_GetBits() function. The issue represents a classic memory access violation that can occur when processing malformed or maliciously crafted SWF files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the bit extraction routine that processes SWF file data structures.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper handling of bit manipulation operations within the SWF file format parser. When swfdump encounters SWF files with malformed bitstream data, the swf_GetBits() function fails to properly validate the boundaries of the data being accessed. This allows an attacker to craft SWF files that trigger memory access exceptions, potentially leading to unpredictable program behavior including crashes, memory corruption, or in some cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read condition where the parser attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process untrusted SWF content, particularly those that automatically parse or analyze Flash files. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the memory access exception could potentially be exploited to achieve remote code execution depending on the execution environment and memory layout. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious SWF files through web applications, email attachments, or file sharing platforms that process Flash content. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases in environments where SWF files are processed without proper sandboxing or input sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000174 should focus on immediate patching of SWFTools installations, as the vulnerability represents a known issue with available fixes from the software vendors. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all SWF file processing operations, utilizing sandboxed environments for file analysis when possible. Network-level defenses should include content filtering to block SWF file attachments or execution of Flash content in web browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving execution through file processing or exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments should verify that all SWF processing components are updated to versions that address this specific bit manipulation flaw in the swf_GetBits() function, ensuring that boundary checks are properly implemented to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns.