CVE-2018-4944 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 29.0.0.140 and earlier have an exploitable type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
Adobe Flash Player contains a critical type confusion vulnerability that arises from improper handling of object types during runtime execution. This flaw exists in versions 29.0.0.140 and earlier, where the player fails to properly validate type information when processing maliciously crafted content. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental flaw in the Flash Player's memory management system where objects of different types are incorrectly treated as the same type, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Flash Player's ActionScript virtual machine failing to maintain proper type safety guarantees when processing serialized data structures. When malicious input is processed through the player's parsing mechanisms, the system attempts to cast objects to incorrect types, causing memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. This type confusion scenario allows an attacker to manipulate the execution flow of the application by forcing the player to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core level of the Flash Player's execution engine, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious payloads with the same privileges as the Flash Player process, typically running with user-level permissions. This can lead to data theft, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, often only involving the viewing of a malicious webpage or opening of a compromised file, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The attack surface is extensive given Flash Player's widespread use across various platforms and applications that embed Flash content.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability focus primarily on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by Adobe. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to ensure all Flash Player installations are updated to versions 29.0.0.141 or later, which contain the necessary type validation fixes. Network-level defenses can include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block known malicious Flash content, though this approach is inherently limited given the dynamic nature of web-based attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling Flash Player entirely in their environments, as recommended by industry best practices and security frameworks such as those outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which describes the weakness of "Incorrectly Handling of Type Information," and represents a classic example of how memory safety issues can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual Flash Player behavior and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing Flash-based exploits. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure compatibility with existing applications while maintaining security posture against this and related vulnerabilities.