CVE-2010-2174 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 newfunction (0x44) operator, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2173.
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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 combined with the newfunction operator identified as 0x44, representing a distinct security flaw from CVE-2010-2173. The flaw occurred within the Flash Player's ActionScript virtual machine where improper handling of memory pointers during function creation operations could lead to memory corruption. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious SWF files that would trigger the invalid pointer dereference when the newfunction operator was processed, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it could be exploited through web browsers when users visited compromised websites or opened malicious Flash content, making it a significant threat to end-user security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. The exploitation mechanism leveraged the Flash Player's handling of the 0x44 operator within the ActionScript bytecode execution environment, where invalid memory pointers could be manipulated to redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, as attackers could leverage the memory corruption to inject and execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was severe given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations that had not updated their Flash Player installations remained at significant risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where users frequently visited untrusted websites or opened email attachments containing malicious Flash content. The vulnerability could be exploited in various attack scenarios including drive-by downloads, phishing campaigns, and targeted attacks against specific user groups. Security professionals needed to prioritize patching efforts across all affected versions, as the exploitability of this vulnerability was high and the potential for widespread compromise was considerable. The affected software platforms included not only traditional web browsers but also Adobe AIR applications that could be similarly compromised through the same memory handling flaws.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory Flash Player updates, web application firewalls configured to block Flash content, and network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability's characteristics made it particularly suitable for automated exploitation, meaning that organizations without proper patch management systems were at heightened risk of successful attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the memory corruption could manifest in various ways during execution. The vulnerability demonstrated the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive patch management procedures to protect against known exploits. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated Flash Player versions that remain vulnerable to this and similar memory corruption attacks.