CVE-2017-2935 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 24.0.0.186 and earlier have an exploitable heap overflow vulnerability when processing the Flash Video container file format. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
Adobe Flash Player versions 24.0.0.186 and earlier contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that arises during processing of Flash Video container file format structures. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-122 heap-based buffer overflow classification, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The flaw specifically manifests when the player encounters malformed video container data that triggers improper memory allocation and subsequent overflow conditions within the heap memory management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted Flash Video files that contain oversized or malformed data structures which exceed the intended buffer limits during parsing operations. When Flash Player attempts to process these maliciously constructed video containers, the heap overflow can overwrite adjacent memory regions including stack canaries, return addresses, or other critical program state information. This memory corruption creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a prime target for advanced persistent threat campaigns and zero-day exploitation attempts. Attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malware payloads, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges within compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised Flash video file, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild prior to its disclosure, demonstrating its significance in real-world threat landscapes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling Flash Player functionality across all systems, updating to patched versions of Adobe Flash Player, and implementing network-based controls to block Flash content delivery. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to deploy additional malicious tools. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms and memory protection features such as DEP and ASLR can significantly reduce the exploitation success rate. Regular security assessments and monitoring for suspicious Flash-related activities should be maintained to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure comprehensive defense against this and similar heap overflow vulnerabilities.