CVE-2017-2937 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 24.0.0.186 and earlier have an exploitable use after free vulnerability in the ActionScript FileReference class, when using class inheritance. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2937 resides within Adobe Flash Player's ActionScript FileReference class implementation, specifically when utilizing class inheritance mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects Flash Player versions 24.0.0.186 and earlier, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability manifests through improper memory management practices during the handling of file reference objects, particularly when inheritance is involved in the class hierarchy. This use after free condition occurs when the Flash Player attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the execution flow and inject malicious payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental memory safety issue inherent in how the FileReference class manages object lifecycles during inheritance scenarios. When Flash Player processes file operations within an inherited class structure, the memory allocation and deallocation processes become inconsistent, leading to situations where freed memory blocks are accessed again. This memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite critical program structures or inject shellcode that executes with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 indicates a use after free condition, while its operational characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through Flash Player exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a means to bypass various security controls and establish persistent access to target systems. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing threat actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads. The Flash Player environment presents a particularly attractive target for attackers due to its widespread deployment across enterprise networks and the relatively high privilege context in which Flash content executes. Organizations running affected Flash Player versions face significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability can be exploited through web browsers or other applications that embed Flash content, making it difficult to contain and mitigate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2937 require immediate action to disable or remove Flash Player from affected systems, as the vulnerability cannot be patched without complete removal of the software. Organizations should implement network-level controls to block Flash content delivery and consider deploying web application firewalls to filter out malicious Flash-based attacks. The recommended approach involves comprehensive system inventory assessment to identify all instances of Flash Player, followed by immediate decommissioning of the software across all endpoints. Security teams must also update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation attempts and establish monitoring protocols for suspicious Flash-related network traffic. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of executing untrusted Flash content and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations.