CVE-2011-2140 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2135, CVE-2011-2417, and CVE-2011-2425.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR suffered from a critical memory corruption vulnerability that existed across multiple platforms and versions, presenting a significant attack surface for malicious actors. This vulnerability manifested in the form of unspecified vectors that could be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. The flaw was particularly concerning because it affected widely deployed software across different operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris for Flash Player, while also impacting Android platforms through separate version ranges. The vulnerability represented a distinct threat vector from other related issues such as CVE-2011-2135, CVE-2011-2417, and CVE-2011-2425, indicating that attackers had multiple pathways to exploit the same underlying software architecture. The memory corruption nature of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns found in software security, where improper memory handling can lead to buffer overflows or other exploitable conditions. This vulnerability was classified under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack surface was extensive given Flash Player's widespread adoption in web browsers and its integration with various web applications, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to leverage system compromise through web-based delivery mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involved crafting malicious Flash content or web pages that would trigger memory corruption during normal Flash Player operation. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw through drive-by download scenarios where users visited compromised websites, or through social engineering tactics that encouraged users to interact with malicious Flash content. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability meant that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, as attackers could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability's presence in both desktop and mobile platforms created a unified attack vector that could be used across different device types, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users might access the same content across multiple platforms. The fact that multiple versions were affected, including both Flash Player and Adobe AIR components, indicated a fundamental flaw in the software's memory management that required comprehensive patching across the entire Adobe product ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple exploitation to include significant security risks for organizations relying on Flash-based content. Enterprises faced potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of business operations when users encountered malicious content through legitimate web browsing activities. The vulnerability's presence in mobile platforms like Android created additional concerns for mobile device management and BYOD policies, as attackers could potentially target mobile users through the same exploitation vectors. Organizations needed to implement immediate patch management strategies to address this vulnerability across all affected systems, while also considering the broader implications of Flash Player's declining support and eventual retirement from the market. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered defense mechanisms, as the exploitation of such memory corruption flaws could result in complete system compromise without user interaction. This vulnerability served as a reminder of the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to receive security updates, particularly in enterprise environments where older systems may not be properly maintained or updated.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should have implemented network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to prevent access to known malicious Flash content, while also considering the complete removal of Flash Player from systems where it was not essential for business operations. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue indicated that traditional antivirus solutions might not be sufficient to detect or prevent exploitation, requiring more advanced endpoint protection mechanisms. Security teams needed to monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual memory access patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework suggested implementing defensive measures such as process isolation, memory protection, and application whitelisting to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Long-term security posture improvements included transitioning away from Flash-based content and implementing more secure web technologies, while also establishing robust patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.