CVE-2017-2938 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 24.0.0.186 and earlier have a security bypass vulnerability related to handling TCP connections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2022
Adobe Flash Player contains a security bypass vulnerability in versions 24.0.0.186 and earlier that relates to improper handling of TCP connections within the application's network communication framework. This flaw allows malicious actors to circumvent security controls that would normally prevent unauthorized network access or data transmission. The vulnerability stems from the way Flash Player manages TCP socket connections and handles network communication protocols, creating potential pathways for attackers to bypass established security boundaries. The issue specifically affects how the player processes TCP connection states and maintains network session integrity, potentially allowing unauthorized access to network resources or data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation of TCP connection parameters and the inadequate enforcement of network security policies during socket operations. When Flash Player processes TCP connections, it fails to properly validate connection states or enforce necessary security checks that would normally prevent unauthorized access patterns. This misconfiguration creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate network communication flows and establish connections outside of normal security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because TCP connections form the foundation of network communication, making this flaw potentially exploitable across multiple network-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access bypass, as it can enable more sophisticated attack scenarios including data interception, unauthorized network scanning, and potential privilege escalation within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent network connections, monitor network traffic, or gain access to restricted network resources that would normally be protected by standard security controls. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases when Flash Player is used in enterprise environments where network security policies are strictly enforced, as the bypass can effectively neutralize network-based security measures.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the TCP connection handling flaws. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Flash Player installations and consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous TCP connection patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation, implementation of strict network access controls, and enhanced monitoring of Flash Player network activity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific implementation weakness in network security controls that could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol communication.
The vulnerability demonstrates how network protocol handling flaws in multimedia players can create significant security risks, particularly when these applications are frequently used in enterprise environments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected Flash Player versions and implement layered security controls to protect against potential exploitation. Regular security updates and patch management processes should include thorough testing of Flash Player functionality to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues while maintaining adequate protection against known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious Flash content that might exploit this and similar network communication vulnerabilities.