CVE-2017-3072 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 25.0.0.148 and earlier have an exploitable memory corruption vulnerability in the BitmapData class. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
Adobe Flash Player contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability in its BitmapData class implementation that affected versions up to and including 25.0.0.148. This vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during bitmap data processing operations, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input could overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow when the application processes malformed bitmap data structures, allowing for arbitrary memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute malicious code within the context of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the memory management level where attackers can manipulate heap metadata and control flow pointers to redirect execution. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management in multimedia processing libraries can create severe security risks. The attack surface is extensive since Flash Player was widely deployed across web browsers and applications, making this vulnerability highly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target systems. The exploitation typically involves crafting malicious SWF files that trigger the vulnerable code path when loaded by an affected Flash Player instance, enabling remote code execution without user interaction in many scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3072 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise capabilities through the exploitation of the underlying memory corruption. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, as the memory corruption occurs within the legitimate Flash Player process space. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the initial foothold to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the compromised system. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability could be triggered through web-based attacks, requiring no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently browse untrusted content. The memory corruption allows for sophisticated exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming and heap spraying to achieve reliable code execution, which is characteristic of advanced persistent threats targeting enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3072 focused primarily on immediate remediation through patching and broader security posture improvements. Organizations needed to implement urgent patch management procedures to upgrade Flash Player to versions 25.0.0.149 or later, where Adobe had addressed the memory corruption issue through proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. System administrators should have deployed network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious Flash content while implementing browser security policies that disabled Flash execution entirely. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrated how legacy multimedia technologies could pose significant security risks in modern enterprise environments. Security teams implemented monitoring solutions to detect anomalous Flash Player behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The incident reinforced industry best practices for managing deprecated technologies and emphasized the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in complex software ecosystems. Organizations also began transitioning away from Flash-based content and implementing more secure alternatives for multimedia delivery to reduce their attack surface and eliminate dependencies on vulnerable legacy technologies.