CVE-2011-0628 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 remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via ActionScript that improperly handles a long array object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2021
Adobe Flash Player suffered from a critical integer overflow vulnerability that affected multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, with separate versions impacted on Android platforms. This vulnerability existed in Flash Player versions prior to 10.3.181.14 for desktop operating systems and before 10.3.185.21 for Android devices. The flaw manifested when ActionScript code improperly handled extremely long array objects, creating conditions where integer overflow could occur during memory allocation operations. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which represents a fundamental weakness in software design where integer values exceed their maximum representable range. Attackers could exploit this condition by crafting malicious ActionScript code that would trigger the overflow, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The operational impact of this vulnerability was severe as it allowed remote attackers to execute malicious code on vulnerable systems without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks. The integer overflow occurred during array object handling when the software failed to properly validate array size parameters before performing memory allocation calculations. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting Flash Player's ActionScript runtime environment. The flaw exploited the inherent trust placed in Flash Player's memory management and array handling capabilities, where normal array operations could be manipulated to cause memory corruption. The vulnerability represented a classic buffer overflow scenario where integer arithmetic overflow led to improper memory allocation, creating potential for stack or heap corruption. Security researchers identified that the issue stemmed from insufficient input validation in Flash Player's ActionScript array processing functions, particularly when dealing with large array indices. The exploitation required crafting specific malicious SWF files that would trigger the integer overflow condition during array creation or manipulation operations. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper integer overflow protection in runtime environments and demonstrated how seemingly benign array operations could become attack vectors. The impact extended beyond individual system compromise to include potential for widespread exploitation across multiple platforms due to Flash Player's ubiquity. Organizations needed to implement immediate patches and updates to address this vulnerability, as the integer overflow could be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also underscored the necessity of runtime integrity checks and proper memory management practices in multimedia and scripting environments. Mitigation strategies required immediate patch deployment, along with network segmentation and content filtering to prevent execution of untrusted Flash content. The vulnerability exemplified the challenges in securing complex runtime environments where multiple execution contexts interact and where integer overflow conditions can have cascading effects on system stability and security.