CVE-2017-3073 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 25.0.0.148 and earlier have an exploitable use after free vulnerability when handling multiple mask properties of display objects, aka memory corruption. 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 use after free vulnerability in version 25.0.0.148 and earlier that arose from improper memory management when processing multiple mask properties of display objects. This vulnerability falls under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating opportunities for memory corruption and potential code execution. The flaw manifested when Flash Player handled complex display object masking operations, particularly when multiple mask properties were applied to the same object, leading to improper memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the freed memory region.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability required crafting malicious Flash content that would trigger the specific sequence of operations causing the memory corruption. Attackers could leverage this issue to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the Flash Player process, typically resulting in full system compromise. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because Flash Player ran with high privileges in most environments, making successful exploitation equivalent to achieving remote code execution on the target system. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3073 was significant as Flash Player remained widely deployed across enterprise environments and consumer systems, creating extensive attack surface. Organizations running older versions of Flash Player were vulnerable to remote exploitation, with attackers able to deliver malicious SWF files through various attack vectors including email attachments, compromised websites, and social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation required no user interaction beyond viewing the malicious content, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. Security researchers noted that the memory corruption could be leveraged to bypass modern security protections such as DEP and ASLR, though exploitation often required additional techniques to achieve reliable code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3073 centered on immediate patching of Flash Player installations to versions 25.0.0.150 and later, which contained the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should have implemented strict Flash Player disablement policies, particularly in enterprise environments where the software was not required for business operations. Network-based protections included implementing content filtering and web application firewalls to block malicious Flash content, while endpoint protection solutions needed updated signatures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and the risks associated with legacy Flash content, leading to broader industry efforts to phase out Flash Player support. Additionally, security teams should have monitored for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts and implemented network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurred.