CVE-2017-3099 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 26.0.0.131 and earlier have an exploitable memory corruption vulnerability in the Action Script 3 raster data model. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2019
Adobe Flash Player version 26.0.0.131 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability within its Action Script 3 raster data model implementation that presents a significant security risk to affected systems. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where improper memory management allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute malicious code. The flaw exists in how Flash Player processes raster data structures during Action Script 3 operations, specifically when handling certain graphical elements that trigger memory allocation patterns susceptible to exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious Flash content that triggers the flawed memory handling routine in the raster data model. When a user visits a compromised website or opens a malicious Flash file, the vulnerable code path executes and allows for arbitrary memory corruption that can be leveraged to gain control over the affected system. The vulnerability's exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling code execution through memory corruption, while also mapping to T1059 for the execution of malicious code within the Flash Player environment. This represents a sophisticated attack vector that can bypass traditional security controls through the use of browser-based exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3099 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and persistent access for threat actors. Organizations running affected Flash Player versions face significant risk exposure since Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise environments and remained a common attack surface for advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability's memory corruption characteristics make it particularly dangerous as attackers can manipulate program execution flow to redirect control to malicious payloads, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement, or establishment of backdoors within the network. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across various platforms and applications increased the attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3099 require immediate action to address the memory corruption vulnerability through patch management and security hardening measures. Organizations must prioritize updating to Adobe Flash Player version 26.0.0.137 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the raster data model memory corruption issue. Additionally, implementing browser security controls such as disabling Flash Player plugins, using sandboxing techniques, and deploying web application firewalls can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious Flash-related network traffic can provide early detection capabilities, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure. The remediation process should also include user education regarding safe browsing practices and the dangers of visiting untrusted websites that may host malicious Flash content, as social engineering remains a common initial attack vector for this type of vulnerability.