CVE-2012-0754 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.15 and 11.x before 11.1.102.62 on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris; before 11.1.111.6 on Android 2.x and 3.x; and before 11.1.115.6 on Android 4.x allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to specific patched releases contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability affected multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, with separate affected versions for Android platforms across different OS versions. The flaw existed in the way Flash Player handled certain data structures during processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be exploited through web browsers without requiring user interaction, making it a prime target for automated attacks. The memory corruption occurred during the parsing of malformed Flash content, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and gain control over the affected system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface was extensive given Flash Player's widespread deployment across multiple platforms and operating systems, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise user systems. The vulnerability was classified under the attack technique T1059, specifically targeting command and scripting interpreters, as the exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability also relates to T1068, which covers local privilege escalation techniques, as successful exploitation could potentially elevate privileges on the compromised system. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player faced significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited through malicious websites or compromised web content, making it particularly challenging to defend against. The impact extended beyond individual users to enterprise environments where Flash Player was widely deployed for multimedia content, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability was particularly severe due to its ability to bypass modern exploit mitigation techniques such as DEP and ASLR, making it more difficult to detect and prevent. The affected versions required immediate patching to address the memory corruption issues, with Adobe releasing updates specifically targeting these vulnerabilities. The remediation process involved not only updating Flash Player to patched versions but also implementing network-level controls to block potentially malicious Flash content until full patch deployment was complete. Organizations needed to conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable Flash Player versions, as the vulnerability affected both desktop and mobile platforms. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of keeping multimedia plugins updated and demonstrated how legacy software components could pose significant security risks in enterprise environments. Network administrators should have implemented content filtering measures to prevent access to known malicious Flash content while awaiting patch deployment. The incident underscored the need for robust vulnerability management processes that could quickly identify and remediate critical security flaws across diverse platform ecosystems. Security teams needed to monitor for exploitation attempts and implement appropriate incident response procedures to address potential compromises. The vulnerability also emphasized the risks associated with running outdated software and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components. Organizations that had not yet migrated away from Flash Player faced particular challenges in addressing this vulnerability, as the platform was being phased out but still required support for legacy applications. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrated how attackers could leverage memory corruption flaws to achieve complete system compromise, making it a critical concern for cybersecurity professionals. Proper patch management procedures became essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, particularly as Flash Player continued to be a target for advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability's impact was further amplified by the fact that Flash Player was often enabled by default in web browsers, providing attackers with an easy entry point into target environments. Security awareness training became crucial to help users understand the risks associated with Flash content and the importance of keeping their software updated. The incident served as a reminder of the inherent risks in supporting legacy multimedia technologies and the necessity of planning for their eventual retirement from enterprise environments.