CVE-2017-3058 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 25.0.0.127 and earlier have an exploitable use after free vulnerability in the sound class. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2022
Adobe Flash Player contained a critical use after free vulnerability within its sound class implementation that affected versions 25.0.0.127 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management where freed memory blocks are still referenced or accessed by subsequent operations, creating a predictable exploitation vector for malicious actors. The flaw exists in the way Flash Player handles audio processing within its sound class, specifically when managing memory allocations for audio buffers and related data structures. When an audio object is destroyed and its memory freed, but references to that memory persist in other parts of the application or are improperly handled during garbage collection, attackers can manipulate the execution flow to achieve arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition where a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to control the memory layout and potentially overwrite critical data structures or function pointers within the Flash Player runtime. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious flash content that triggers the sound class functionality, causing specific memory patterns to be created and subsequently freed, followed by controlled allocation of new data to the same memory addresses. This enables attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which often runs with elevated permissions due to the nature of multimedia applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within compromised systems. Since Flash Player was widely deployed across various operating systems and browsers, the attack surface was extensive, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments and individual users alike. The exploitation could occur through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications that embed Flash content. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and control execution and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The use after free condition creates a stable exploitation environment that can be reliably reproduced, making it attractive to threat actors who develop automated exploitation frameworks targeting this specific flaw.
Organizations and users should immediately disable Flash Player functionality across all systems and remove any existing installations to prevent exploitation attempts. Adobe released security updates for affected versions, but the recommended approach involves complete removal of Flash Player from systems rather than relying on patch management alone. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block Flash content from being loaded, as well as monitor for suspicious Flash-related activities in endpoint protection systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in multimedia applications and highlights the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to receive security updates. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict Flash Player execution to known safe environments only, while conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining Flash-based applications within their infrastructure.