CVE-2012-5261 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.29 and 11.x before 11.4.402.287 on Windows and Mac OS X, before 10.3.183.29 and 11.x before 11.2.202.243 on Linux, before 11.1.111.19 on Android 2.x and 3.x, and before 11.1.115.20 on Android 4.x; Adobe AIR before 3.4.0.2710; and Adobe AIR SDK before 3.4.0.2710 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than other Flash Player memory corruption CVEs listed in APSB12-22.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2021
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to specific patched releases contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks across multiple platforms and operating systems. This vulnerability affects Flash Player versions 10.3.183.29 and earlier for Windows and Mac OS X, 10.3.183.29 and earlier for Linux, 11.4.402.287 and earlier for Windows and Mac OS X, 11.2.202.243 and earlier for Linux, 11.1.111.19 and earlier for Android 2.x and 3.x, and 11.1.115.20 and earlier for Android 4.x. Additionally, Adobe AIR versions before 3.4.0.2710 and Adobe AIR SDK versions before 3.4.0.2710 are also affected by this memory corruption flaw. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Flash Player runtime environment, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code remotely. This particular vulnerability is distinct from other Flash Player memory corruption issues documented in Adobe Security Bulletins, indicating a unique exploitation vector that requires specific patching measures. The memory corruption occurs when Flash Player processes certain malformed input data, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The attack surface spans across multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and various Android versions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where diverse platforms coexist. The vulnerability class aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption exploits. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The threat landscape for this vulnerability includes advanced persistent threat actors who may leverage it as a initial access vector through malicious web pages or compromised websites. Organizations should prioritize patching across all affected platforms and versions, as the vulnerability exists in both desktop and mobile Flash implementations. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts and consider disabling Flash Player in enterprise environments where it is not essential. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers commonly use compromised websites to deliver malicious Flash content. Mitigation strategies should include application whitelisting, sandboxing Flash Player execution, and implementing strict web content filtering policies. Organizations should also consider using Flash Player alternatives or modern web technologies that do not present similar memory corruption risks. The vulnerability highlights the ongoing security challenges associated with legacy Flash Player implementations and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software across all computing platforms. Regular security assessments should include verification of Flash Player versions and patch compliance to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.