CVE-2012-5266 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than other Flash Player buffer overflow CVEs listed in APSB12-22.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5266 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that affected multiple operating systems and mobile platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets versions prior to 10.3.183.29 for Windows and Mac OS X, 10.3.183.29 for Linux, 11.4.402.287 for Windows and Mac OS X, 11.2.202.243 for Linux, 11.1.111.19 for Android 2.x and 3.x, and 11.1.115.20 for Android 4.x, along with corresponding Adobe AIR versions before 3.4.0.2710 and Adobe AIR SDK versions before 3.4.0.2710. The flaw operates at the core of Flash Player's memory management system, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate memory allocation and execution flow through crafted malicious content.
This buffer overflow vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling mechanisms within the Flash Player runtime environment, specifically affecting how the application processes multimedia content and handles memory allocation for buffer operations. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121, which classifies buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten beyond intended limits. The attack vector involves delivering malicious SWF files or other Flash content that triggers the vulnerable code path during content parsing and rendering, enabling attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple platforms and deployment scenarios, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security controls and execute malicious code on target systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website or opening a malicious file. The vulnerability's presence in both desktop and mobile environments creates a broad attack surface, with the potential for privilege escalation and system compromise across Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and various Android versions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as it allows adversaries to execute code and potentially elevate privileges through the Flash Player runtime.
The remediation approach for CVE-2012-5266 requires immediate patching of affected Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations across all supported platforms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated to versions that contain the security fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to block potentially malicious Flash content and disable Flash Player in web browsers where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software environments and implementing layered security controls, as the buffer overflow could be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based delivery, email attachments, or malicious websites. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement appropriate detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts in their environments.