CVE-2011-2428 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (browser crash) via unspecified vectors, related to a "logic error issue."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 10.3.183.10 on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris platforms, and before 10.3.186.7 on Android devices contained a critical logic error vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's logic processing mechanisms that could be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing environments where users frequently encounter Flash content. The logic error issue manifested in ways that allowed attackers to manipulate the normal execution flow of the Flash Player runtime, potentially leading to complete system compromise or application instability. The vulnerability's impact extended across multiple operating systems and mobile platforms, demonstrating the widespread nature of the underlying logic flaw that affected the core Flash Player architecture. This issue falls under the CWE-843 category of "Use of Inappropriate Control Mechanism" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell" when exploited in certain contexts, though the primary vector involves browser-based exploitation. The vulnerability's designation as a logic error suggests that the flaw existed in the decision-making processes or conditional execution paths within the Flash Player's codebase, where improper validation or control flow management allowed malicious input to trigger unintended behavior. The attack surface was particularly broad given Flash Player's widespread deployment across web browsers and operating systems, making this vulnerability a significant concern for enterprise environments and individual users alike. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player faced potential compromise of their systems through drive-by downloads or malicious websites that could leverage this logic error to deliver malware payloads directly into the browser environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involved crafting specially designed Flash content that would trigger the logic error during normal playback operations. Attackers could create malicious swf files or manipulate existing content to cause the Flash Player to execute unintended code sequences, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the context of the browser process. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability meant that even if full exploitation was not possible, attackers could reliably crash the browser or Flash Player application, disrupting user sessions and potentially creating opportunities for further attacks. The logic error specifically affected how the Flash Player handled certain data processing scenarios, likely involving memory management, input validation, or state transitions within the player's runtime environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly challenging to defend against because it does not rely on traditional buffer overflow techniques or injection attacks, but instead exploits fundamental flaws in the application's internal processing logic. The impact on enterprise security was substantial given that Flash Player was widely used for web-based applications, multimedia content, and interactive experiences across various platforms, making this vulnerability a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of affected Flash Player installations across all supported platforms and operating systems. Organizations needed to implement comprehensive deployment schedules to ensure all users had updated versions of the software before the vulnerability could be exploited in the wild. The patch process involved updating to Adobe Flash Player versions 10.3.183.10 or later for desktop platforms and 10.3.186.7 or later for Android devices. Security teams also needed to monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including suspicious Flash content or browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-level defenses included implementing content filtering solutions to block known malicious Flash content and monitoring for traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of regular software updates and patch management processes, particularly for widely deployed applications like Flash Player that serve as common attack vectors. Organizations should have implemented automated patch management systems to ensure rapid deployment of security updates and maintained detailed inventories of Flash Player installations across their networks. The incident underscored the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that could quickly identify and remediate similar logic errors in other applications, as such flaws often indicate deeper architectural issues that could affect multiple components within software ecosystems. Additionally, the vulnerability's cross-platform nature emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent security policies and update procedures across all operating systems and device types within an organization's infrastructure.