CVE-2010-2170 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 9.0.277.0 and 10.x before 10.1.53.64, and Adobe AIR before 2.0.2.12610, might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2181 and CVE-2010-2183.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2170 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR platforms. This issue manifests in versions prior to 9.0.277.0 for Flash Player and before 10.1.53.64 for Flash Player 10.x, alongside Adobe AIR versions before 2.0.2.12610. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from other contemporaneous flaws such as CVE-2010-2181 and CVE-2010-2183, making it a distinct yet equally dangerous threat to the affected software ecosystems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of integer values within the Flash Player and AIR runtime environments. When the software processes certain data inputs, it fails to adequately validate integer boundaries, leading to situations where integer overflow conditions can occur. This type of flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions. The overflow typically occurs when an application attempts to store a value that exceeds the maximum limit of the integer data type being used, causing the value to wrap around to a much smaller number and potentially leading to unexpected program behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it creates opportunities for remote code execution attacks. Attackers can exploit this integer overflow by crafting malicious content that, when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player or AIR runtime, triggers the overflow condition. This manipulation can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected machine. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web browsers or applications that embed Flash content, providing attackers with multiple attack surfaces to target.
Security researchers and organizations have documented this vulnerability as a significant threat requiring immediate remediation. The affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR represent widespread deployment across enterprise and consumer environments, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through compromised applications. Organizations must prioritize patching efforts to address this vulnerability, as the integer overflow condition can be leveraged to bypass traditional security controls and execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges.
The remediation approach involves updating to the patched versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR as specified in the CVE details. Adobe released updates addressing this specific vulnerability, and system administrators should implement these patches across all affected systems immediately. Additional mitigations may include implementing content filtering measures to restrict Flash content execution, disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, and monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and integer boundary checking in software development practices, particularly for runtime environments that process untrusted data from external sources.