CVE-2010-2173 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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, related to an "invalid pointer vulnerability" and the newclass (0x58) operator, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2174.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 9.0.277.0 and 10.x versions before 10.1.53.64, along with Adobe AIR versions before 2.0.2.12610, contained a critical vulnerability that could enable remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically involved an invalid pointer vulnerability within the Flash Player's handling of the newclass (0x58) operator, which represents a distinct security flaw from CVE-2010-2174. The issue stems from improper memory management and pointer validation when processing the newclass opcode, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow condition, though it manifests through pointer manipulation rather than traditional buffer overflows. The exploitation of this flaw typically involves crafting malicious SWF files that trigger the invalid pointer dereference during the execution of the newclass operator. This allows attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms and potentially gain complete system control. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Flash Player's widespread deployment across web browsers and desktop environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, where attackers leverage the Flash Player's runtime environment to execute arbitrary code. Security researchers identified that the issue occurs during the processing of malformed class instantiation requests, where the Flash Player fails to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing them. This invalid pointer handling creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be exploited to redirect execution flow. The vulnerability affects both the Flash Player runtime and Adobe AIR application framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web-based attacks or local file execution. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as it represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure. The fix implemented by Adobe involved strengthening pointer validation routines and improving memory management practices within the Flash Player's class instantiation handling code. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory safety practices in runtime environments and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of application frameworks that handle dynamic code execution. The attack vector typically requires user interaction through malicious web content or file attachments, making social engineering components part of the overall exploitation strategy.