CVE-2010-2179 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability 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, when Firefox or Chrome is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to URL parsing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2179 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR components. This weakness exists in versions prior to specific patched releases including Flash Player 9.0.277.0 and 10.x versions before 10.1.53.64, alongside Adobe AIR before 2.0.2.12610. The vulnerability specifically manifests when these components interact with web browsers such as Firefox and Chrome, creating a dangerous attack surface that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical flaw stems from improper URL parsing mechanisms within Adobe's Flash Player and AIR runtime environments. When these applications process web content through supported browsers, they fail to adequately sanitize or validate URL parameters and content, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that permits attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive user data, and potentially escalate privileges within the browser environment. Attackers can craft malicious URLs or web pages that, when viewed by victims using vulnerable Flash Player or AIR components, execute malicious code that can capture keystrokes, access cookies, or redirect users to fraudulent sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the browser and Flash content, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content.
The attack vector involves sending specially crafted web content or URLs to victims who are using vulnerable versions of Adobe Flash Player or AIR in Firefox or Chrome browsers. This creates a persistent threat that can be exploited through various means including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping Flash Player and AIR components updated, as these applications often run with elevated privileges and can access system resources beyond what standard web content should be permitted to do. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the victim's browser environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR installations, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, and user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites with Flash content enabled. The vulnerability also highlights the broader security implications of rich internet applications and the need for comprehensive security testing of all browser plugins and runtime environments. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling Flash content entirely where possible, as the attack surface for such vulnerabilities remains significant even after patches are applied.