CVE-2011-2426 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ActionScript Virtual Machine (AVM) component in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.10 on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, and before 10.3.186.7 on Android, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The CVE-2011-2426 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Adobe Flash Player's ActionScript Virtual Machine component, affecting multiple operating systems and platforms. This vulnerability exists in Flash Player versions prior to 10.3.183.10 for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, and before 10.3.186.7 for Android systems. The flaw manifests in the AVM's handling of unspecified vectors, creating a condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous as they can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, effectively allowing attackers to bypass system security measures and gain unauthorized access to target machines.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory. The ActionScript Virtual Machine serves as the execution environment for Flash content and processes user-supplied data through various parsing mechanisms. When malformed or oversized data reaches the AVM, the lack of proper input validation causes the stack to overflow, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack-based variables. This overflow creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the Flash Player process, typically running with the same permissions as the user who launched the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2426 extends across multiple attack vectors and platforms, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments and individual users. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through web-based delivery methods, embedding malicious Flash content in compromised websites or email attachments that users might inadvertently open. Once executed, the exploit can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's presence across multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, and Android platforms increases the attack surface significantly. Organizations using Flash Player for legitimate purposes face substantial risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening an infected document.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2426 primarily focus on immediate remediation through official security updates provided by Adobe. System administrators should prioritize deployment of Flash Player versions 10.3.183.10 or later for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris platforms, and version 10.3.186.7 or later for Android systems. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious Flash content, disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, and employing sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and following security best practices, as it can be leveraged by threat actors to establish persistent access to systems. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious content and avoid visiting compromised websites that may exploit this vulnerability.