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HighPublic exploit

Stack-based buffer overflow in Flat Assembler 1.71.21

IdentifiersCVE-2017-20228CWE-787· Out-of-bounds Write

CVE-2017-20228 is a stack-based buffer overflow in Flat Assembler version 1.71.21. According to the provided content, the flaw can be triggered by supplying oversized assembly input to the application. Malicious input exceeding 5895 bytes can overwrite the instruction pointer, indicating an out-of-bounds write condition on the stack. Successful exploitation enables construction of a return-oriented programming (ROP) chain, which can then be used to execute shell commands and achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the vulnerable process.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows local arbitrary code execution. By overwriting the instruction pointer with oversized assembly input, an attacker can redirect control flow and execute a ROP chain, leading to shell command execution. The provided content indicates high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Do not process untrusted or attacker-supplied assembly source files with Flat Assembler 1.71.21. Restrict local access to systems where the assembler is installed, limit execution to trusted users, and isolate the tool in a constrained environment such as a sandbox, container, or dedicated build host to reduce the impact of exploitation. Monitoring for crashes triggered by unusually large input files may also help detect attempted exploitation.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade from Flat Assembler 1.71.21 to a fixed version if one is available from the vendor. If no patched release is currently available in the provided information, replace or discontinue use of the vulnerable version and validate all assembly input handling paths. Review vendor advisories and referenced security guidance for an official fix.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Flat AssemblerFlat Assemblerapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

4 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

4 SOURCESView more in app
What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity3

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES
MITRE CVE
cve.org · CVE-2017-20228
NVD
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-20228
MITRE CWE · CWE-787
Out-of-bounds Write
Third Party Advisory
vulncheck.com/advisories/flat-assembler-stack-based-buffer-overflow-rop
Exploit
exploit-db.com/exploits/42265
Product
flatassembler.net