CVE-2012-5280 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.43 and 11.x before 11.5.502.110 on Windows and Mac OS X, before 10.3.183.43 and 11.x before 11.2.202.251 on Linux, before 11.1.111.24 on Android 2.x and 3.x, and before 11.1.115.27 on Android 4.x; Adobe AIR before 3.5.0.600; and Adobe AIR SDK before 3.5.0.600 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-5274, CVE-2012-5275, CVE-2012-5276, and CVE-2012-5277.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5280 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR across multiple operating systems and platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets versions prior to 10.3.183.43 for Windows and Mac OS X, 10.3.183.43 for Linux, 11.5.502.110 for Windows and Mac OS X, 11.2.202.251 for Linux, 11.1.111.24 for Android 2.x and 3.x, 11.1.115.27 for Android 4.x, and corresponding Adobe AIR versions before 3.5.0.600. The flaw operates within the core Flash Player execution engine and is distinct from other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, indicating a unique attack surface that requires specific mitigation approaches.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when Flash Player processes malformed or specially crafted content that exceeds allocated memory buffers. This condition creates an exploitable state where attackers can manipulate memory layout and execution flow through carefully constructed input data. The vulnerability leverages the fundamental memory management practices within Flash Player's ActionScript execution environment, where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also involve CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5280 extends across multiple platform ecosystems, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where diverse operating systems and devices coexist. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through web-based delivery mechanisms, exploiting the widespread presence of Flash Player in browsers and applications. The attack vector typically involves hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through social engineering campaigns that诱导 users to visit malicious web pages containing the exploit code. Once executed, the vulnerability enables complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to full system takeover and persistent backdoor establishment.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during 2012. The recommended mitigations include deploying Adobe's official security patches for Flash Player and AIR versions, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls, and utilizing browser security features that disable Flash content by default. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing measures and monitoring for suspicious Flash-related network traffic patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, with potential T1070 for indicator removal and T1106 for execution through system binaries, reflecting the comprehensive attack surface this vulnerability exposes across multiple attack phases. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any legacy systems still running vulnerable versions of Flash Player or AIR, as these remain prime targets for exploitation.