CVE-2011-4693 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player 11.1.102.55 on Windows and Mac OS X allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SWF file, as demonstrated by the first of two vulnerabilities exploited by the Intevydis vd_adobe_fp module in VulnDisco Step Ahead (SA). NOTE: as of 20111207, this disclosure has no actionable information. However, because the module author is a reliable researcher, the issue is being assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
Adobe Flash Player represents a critical component in web browser security ecosystems, serving as a multimedia runtime environment that executes rich internet applications and embedded content. The vulnerability identified in CVE-2011-4693 affects Flash Player version 11.1.102.55 on both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, creating a remote code execution vector through maliciously crafted SWF files. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of unspecified flaws that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Flash Player remains widely deployed. The vulnerability's classification as remote code execution indicates that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring local system access, enabling them to execute arbitrary code on target systems simply by enticing users to view malicious content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. When a crafted SWF file is loaded, the player fails to properly sanitize or validate the file's content, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption issues. This flaw typically manifests through improper handling of multimedia objects, script execution contexts, or graphics rendering components within the Flash Player's processing pipeline. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a malicious SWF file that triggers specific code paths within the player's interpreter, often involving complex memory manipulation techniques that can bypass modern security mitigations such as DEP and ASLR. The attack vector demonstrates the inherent risks of rich media execution environments where complex parsing logic can create unexpected execution paths that attackers can manipulate.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4693 extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire enterprise networks, particularly in organizations that continue to support legacy Flash content. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network. Given that Flash Player was commonly enabled in web browsers and often used for business-critical applications, this vulnerability could enable attackers to target employees across multiple departments. The exploitation scenario typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments containing the malicious SWF files. The vulnerability's presence in both Windows and Mac OS X platforms increases its attack surface and makes it particularly challenging to defend against in heterogeneous environments.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a significant risk that aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and execution through malicious files. The vulnerability's exploitation pattern corresponds to attack vectors that bypass traditional security controls by leveraging legitimate software components. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, as Adobe released updates specifically designed to mitigate the memory corruption issues present in Flash Player 11.1.102.55. Mitigation strategies should include disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, implementing network-based controls to block malicious SWF content, and monitoring for suspicious file execution patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security intelligence feeds and understanding how threat actors leverage legitimate software components to create persistent security challenges. This case study demonstrates the ongoing need for robust application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms that can defend against complex exploitation techniques targeting multimedia runtime environments.
The vulnerability's assignment of a CVE identifier despite limited actionable information reflects the security community's approach to tracking potential threats, particularly when reliable researchers identify exploitable conditions. This practice aligns with CWE classifications related to software vulnerabilities in multimedia processing systems and memory safety issues. The timing of the disclosure in late 2011 coincided with broader awareness of Flash Player security concerns, making it part of a larger pattern of vulnerabilities affecting Adobe's multimedia platform. Organizations should maintain awareness of such vulnerabilities through security advisories and threat intelligence feeds, as the exploitation landscape for multimedia runtime environments continues to evolve. The vulnerability's resolution required comprehensive code review and memory management improvements within Adobe's Flash Player implementation, emphasizing the complexity of securing rich media execution environments against sophisticated attack techniques.