CVE-2011-0618 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.181.14 on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris and before 10.3.185.21 on Android allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0618 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Adobe Flash Player implementations across multiple operating systems and mobile platforms. This vulnerability affects Flash Player versions prior to 10.3.181.14 on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris platforms, as well as versions before 10.3.185.21 on Android systems. The integer overflow condition occurs when the software fails to properly validate integer values during memory allocation operations, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate input data to cause unexpected behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the Flash Player runtime environment. When processing certain multimedia content or data structures, the application performs calculations that can exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the integer data type, leading to wraparound behavior. This overflow condition can result in heap corruption when the application attempts to allocate memory blocks based on the manipulated integer values. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and input validation, creating a pathway for attackers to control the memory layout of the running process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations deploying Flash Player in enterprise environments or consumer applications. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely makes this a highly attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web content, email attachments, or compromised websites that deliver Flash-based exploits. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that organizations must implement security measures across multiple operating system environments, increasing the complexity of remediation efforts. Security researchers have documented this vulnerability as mapping to CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate integer values to cause unexpected behavior.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious Flash content that triggers the integer overflow condition during memory allocation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite memory locations with malicious code, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is broad due to Flash Player's widespread deployment in web browsers and desktop applications, making it an attractive target for zero-day exploits. Organizations implementing security controls must consider both the immediate patching requirements and the broader implications for their network security posture, as this vulnerability could enable advanced persistent threats or privilege escalation attacks. Mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches, implementing browser security controls, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust application sandboxing mechanisms to limit the impact of such flaws when they do occur.