CVE-2011-2136 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.5 on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris and before 10.3.186.3 on Android, and Adobe AIR before 2.7.1 on Windows and Mac OS X and before 2.7.1.1961 on Android, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2138 and CVE-2011-2416.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2136 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR applications across multiple platforms. This security weakness affects versions prior to specific patched releases including Flash Player 10.3.183.5 for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, and Flash Player 10.3.186.3 for Android, alongside Adobe AIR versions before 2.7.1 for Windows and Mac OS X and before 2.7.1.1961 for Android. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during memory allocation operations, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate data to cause arithmetic overflow scenarios that ultimately lead to memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer variables during buffer allocation or memory management processes within the Flash Player runtime environment. When the application processes certain malformed data structures or media content, the integer overflow condition occurs during calculations related to memory buffer sizes or array indexing operations. This flaw specifically manifests when the system attempts to allocate memory blocks based on calculated integer values that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer type, causing the value to wrap around to a much smaller number. This wraparound behavior results in insufficient memory allocation, creating exploitable conditions where attackers can control memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2136 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged by malicious actors. Attackers exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed Flash content or media files that trigger the integer overflow condition when processed by vulnerable applications. The resulting memory corruption can be manipulated to overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program data structures, allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software that can lead to serious security implications including privilege escalation and system compromise.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases. Attackers typically deliver malicious Flash content through phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements, leveraging the widespread deployment of Flash Player across various platforms. The vulnerability's cross-platform nature makes it particularly dangerous as it affects multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, and Android, expanding the potential attack surface significantly. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability shares similarities with other memory corruption flaws in Flash Player but operates through distinct code paths compared to related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2011-2138 and CVE-2011-2416, making it a unique threat vector requiring specific mitigation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2136 primarily focus on immediate software updates and deployment of patches provided by Adobe. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations to versions that contain the necessary fixes for the integer overflow conditions. Additionally, network administrators should implement content filtering measures to block Flash content from untrusted sources and consider disabling Flash Player execution in web browsers where possible. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can further reduce risk by restricting execution of Flash content to only trusted applications and domains. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Flash content behavior and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System hardening measures including address space layout randomization and data execution prevention techniques can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent the execution of malicious Flash content through behavioral analysis and signature-based detection mechanisms.