CVE-2012-0756 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 bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0755.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2021
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to specific patches contained a critical access restriction bypass vulnerability that enabled attackers to circumvent intended security controls through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability affected multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, as well as various Android versions across different platform releases. The flaw represented a distinct security issue from CVE-2012-0755, indicating separate underlying technical mechanisms that allowed unauthorized access to restricted resources within the Flash Player runtime environment. The vulnerability specifically targeted the access control mechanisms implemented within Flash Player's security model, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code or access protected system resources that should have been restricted to legitimate applications or users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involved manipulation of Flash Player's security sandbox or privilege escalation mechanisms that govern how external content interacts with system resources. Attackers could exploit this weakness to bypass the normal security boundaries that separate trusted Flash content from untrusted web content, potentially enabling them to access local files, execute arbitrary code, or perform actions that would normally be restricted. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could occur through various methods including malformed Flash content, specific sequence of operations, or manipulation of the Flash Player's internal state management. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant threat to the integrity of the Flash Player's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was substantial as it affected a widely deployed multimedia platform that was integral to web browsing experiences across multiple operating systems and device types. Organizations relying on Flash Player for business applications or web content delivery faced potential exposure to sophisticated attacks that could compromise user systems and access sensitive data. The vulnerability's presence across multiple platforms including mobile operating systems like Android 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x meant that attackers could target both desktop and mobile environments, expanding the potential attack surface significantly. Security professionals needed to urgently assess their environments for affected Flash Player installations and implement immediate remediation measures to protect against exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations should have implemented network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts and established procedures for rapid response to potential security incidents. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining current security patches for multimedia plugins and browser components that execute untrusted content. Security teams needed to conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Flash Player versions and prioritize remediation efforts. Additionally, the incident underscored the necessity of implementing layered security controls including web application firewalls, content filtering solutions, and user education programs to reduce the risk of exploitation through various attack vectors that could potentially leverage this access restriction bypass vulnerability.