CVE-2011-4694 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 second 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 version 11.1.102.55 contains an unspecified vulnerability that affects both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, creating a critical security risk for users who interact with potentially malicious content. This vulnerability specifically manifests when Flash Player processes a crafted SWF file, which can be delivered through various attack vectors including web browsers, email attachments, or malicious websites. The flaw represents a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the Flash Player process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the Flash Player runtime environment. When processing malicious SWF content, the player fails to properly sanitize or validate the embedded bytecode and associated data structures, leading to potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-119 - Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that enables attackers to manipulate memory and execute malicious instructions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the target system to have Flash Player installed and active, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Flash content is commonly viewed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised file. The vulnerability affects multiple operating systems, including Windows and Mac OS X, which means that organizations with mixed computing environments are particularly at risk. The fact that this vulnerability was demonstrated through the Intevydis vd_adobe_fp module in VulnDisco Step Ahead (SA) indicates that it was actively being exploited in the wild, making it a pressing concern for security professionals. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised systems as launching points for further attacks within a network, aligning with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling Flash Player in web browsers, updating to the latest available version of Flash Player, and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions. System administrators should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions with behavior monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous Flash Player activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits. Security teams should monitor threat intelligence feeds for additional information about exploitation attempts and consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Flash Player. Organizations should also implement user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might deliver malicious SWF files. Given that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild, immediate action is required to prevent potential compromise of corporate networks and sensitive data systems.