CVE-2012-2040 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.20 and 11.x before 11.3.300.257 on Windows and Mac OS X; before 10.3.183.20 and 11.x before 11.2.202.236 on Linux; before 11.1.111.10 on Android 2.x and 3.x; and before 11.1.115.9 on Android 4.x, and Adobe AIR before 3.3.0.3610, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2040 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR across multiple operating systems and platforms. This flaw exists within the installer components of these applications, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by local attackers to elevate privileges. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to the mentioned patches across Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and various Android versions, making it a widespread concern affecting multiple platform ecosystems. The root cause stems from improper handling of executable file paths during the installation process, where the installer fails to validate or sanitize the directories from which it loads components, creating opportunities for malicious actors to place Trojan horse executables in strategic locations.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path category, which falls under the broader family of path traversal and privilege escalation flaws. The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to place a malicious executable file in a directory that the installer will subsequently execute without proper validation. The attack vector leverages the principle of least privilege by exploiting the installer's trust in the system's PATH environment variables or hardcoded directory structures. When the vulnerable installer runs, it searches through predetermined directories in a specific order, and if a malicious file is positioned in an earlier search path location, the installer will execute the malicious code with the privileges of the user running the installer. This represents a classic privilege escalation attack pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques through untrusted search paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can be exploited to install persistent malware, modify system configurations, or establish backdoor access to affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious executables that mimic legitimate installer components, making detection more difficult and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed software components, with Adobe Flash Player being one of the most commonly installed applications across enterprise and consumer environments. The exploitation typically requires local access to the target system, but once successful, provides attackers with elevated privileges that can be used for further compromise. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware and could inadvertently execute the malicious installer.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2040 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations across all supported platforms. Organizations should ensure that all systems are updated to the latest versions that include the fixed installer logic. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls on system directories, monitoring for unauthorized executable file modifications, and conducting regular security audits of installation processes. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unknown or untrusted executables. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in installer components, particularly regarding how applications handle file paths and system search order. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual installer behavior and unauthorized file placements in system directories. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against privilege escalation attacks through untrusted search paths.