CVE-2017-3064 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 25.0.0.127 and earlier have an exploitable memory corruption vulnerability when parsing a shape outline. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
Adobe Flash Player versions 25.0.0.127 and earlier contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that manifests during the parsing of shape outlines within flash content. This vulnerability resides in the multimedia processing engine of the flash player and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application fails to properly validate the boundaries of shape outline data structures. The flaw specifically affects the way the player handles vector graphics elements, particularly those with complex outline definitions that exceed expected memory allocation boundaries. When processing malformed shape data, the parser does not adequately check for buffer overflows, allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows as defined by CWE-122 and represents a significant security risk that has been classified as a remote code execution vulnerability.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a malicious flash file that contains specially crafted shape outline data designed to trigger the memory corruption during playback. Attackers can leverage this flaw by embedding malicious content within flash applications or web pages that will be rendered by the vulnerable flash player. The successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution within the context of the flash player process, which typically runs with the privileges of the user who is viewing the content. This presents a severe threat vector since flash player is commonly installed on end-user systems and is often used to execute content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web browsers, email attachments, or any application that embeds flash content. The memory corruption occurs at the parsing layer where the flash player attempts to render complex vector graphics, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by viewing malicious content without any user interaction beyond normal browsing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it fundamentally compromises the security model of systems running vulnerable flash player versions. When exploited, attackers can gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects a wide range of operating systems including windows, macos, and linux platforms where flash player is installed, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have varying levels of security awareness. Organizations that have not patched their systems remain at risk of targeted attacks, as this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild. The exploitation can occur without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be browsing untrusted websites or viewing email attachments containing malicious flash content. This vulnerability also represents a significant challenge for security teams as it requires comprehensive patch management across all systems running vulnerable flash player versions, including legacy systems where patching may not be feasible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate patch deployment through official Adobe security updates, as well as comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement network-based controls including firewall rules that block flash content from untrusted sources and consider disabling flash player entirely in environments where it is not required. The remediation process should involve thorough vulnerability scanning to identify all systems running vulnerable flash player versions and ensure complete patch coverage across all endpoints. Additionally, security teams should implement behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as well as maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to track related attack campaigns. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with various security standards including those outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation categories, emphasizing the need for layered security controls. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other software components.