CVE-2017-3074 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 25.0.0.148 and earlier have an exploitable memory corruption vulnerability in the Graphics 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 within its Graphics class implementation that affected versions 25.0.0.148 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and manipulation during graphics rendering operations, creating a condition where malicious input could trigger unpredictable memory behavior. The flaw resides in how Flash Player processes certain graphics commands and manages memory buffers, particularly when dealing with malformed or crafted graphics data that exceeds expected boundaries. Attackers could exploit this weakness by delivering malicious Flash content through web browsers or other applications that embed Flash Player components, leading to memory corruption that could be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially enabling privilege escalation or complete system compromise. This issue directly relates to CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in stack-based memory management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through Flash-based attacks. The exploitation typically requires social engineering to convince users to visit malicious websites or open compromised documents containing embedded Flash content, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with web-based applications. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of graphics operations that involve dynamic memory allocation, where attackers can manipulate input parameters to cause the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This vulnerability has been extensively documented in various security advisories and represents one of the more significant Flash Player exploits that contributed to the eventual decline of Flash technology. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player faced substantial risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where users had elevated privileges or where the Flash Player was used in conjunction with other vulnerable applications. The technical complexity of this vulnerability lies in its ability to be triggered through legitimate graphics rendering paths while maintaining stealth, making detection and prevention challenging. Mitigation strategies included immediate patching of Flash Player installations, disabling Flash content in web browsers, and implementing network-based controls to block Flash-related traffic. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability demonstrated the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia frameworks that handle untrusted input, highlighting the importance of robust memory management practices in application development. The flaw also emphasized the need for comprehensive input validation and proper bounds checking in graphics processing libraries, as similar patterns have been identified in other multimedia and graphics frameworks. Organizations should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability when evaluating their overall security posture, particularly regarding legacy multimedia applications that may still be in use within enterprise environments.