CVE-2018-4932 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Adobe Flash Player versions 29.0.0.113 and earlier have an exploitable Use-After-Free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
Adobe Flash Player contains a critical use-after-free vulnerability in its memory management system that affects versions 29.0.0.113 and earlier. This flaw occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a dangerous condition that malicious actors can exploit to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references within the player's runtime environment, specifically in how it manages memory allocation and deallocation processes. When certain Flash content is processed, the application fails to properly validate object lifecycles, allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers and redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-416 Use-After-Free condition, which represents a well-documented class of memory safety issues that have historically led to significant security breaches in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Flash Player was widely installed across various operating systems and browsers, making the exploit accessible to a broad range of potential targets. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be triggered through maliciously crafted Flash content delivered via web browsers, email attachments, or compromised websites. The execution context of the exploit remains within the user's privileges, meaning that successful exploitation would allow attackers to run malicious code with the same permissions as the Flash Player process. This creates a pathway for further compromise including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or installation of additional malware. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should note that this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can use compromised Flash applications to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads. The widespread adoption of Flash Player made this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited across numerous systems without requiring specialized targeting. Remediation efforts should focus on immediate patching of Flash Player installations, implementing browser security policies that restrict Flash content execution, and deploying network-based protections such as web application firewalls. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling Flash Player entirely on systems where it is not absolutely required for legacy applications, as the risk of exploitation far outweighs any potential benefits of continued support. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in application development and highlights how even well-established software platforms can contain fundamental flaws that persist across multiple versions. Security teams must remain vigilant about such vulnerabilities as they represent persistent threats that can be exploited for extended periods before proper mitigations are deployed. The exploitation of this vulnerability would typically involve crafting malicious SWF files that trigger the specific memory conditions necessary to execute the use-after-free attack, making it a particularly insidious threat that can be delivered through common attack vectors such as phishing campaigns or compromised websites.