CVE-2013-0643 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
The Firefox sandbox in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.67 and 11.x before 11.6.602.171 on Windows and Mac OS X, and before 10.3.183.67 and 11.x before 11.2.202.273 on Linux, does not properly restrict privileges, which makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted SWF content, as exploited in the wild in February 2013.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0643 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Adobe Flash Player's sandboxing mechanisms on multiple operating systems. This security weakness affects versions prior to 10.3.183.67 for Flash Player 10 and 11.x versions before 11.6.602.171 on Windows and Mac OS X, as well as earlier Linux versions. The flaw specifically targets the sandbox implementation that is designed to isolate Flash content execution from the underlying operating system, creating a critical gap that adversaries can exploit to bypass security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient privilege restriction within Flash Player's sandbox architecture. When Flash Player processes malicious SWF content, the sandbox should enforce strict boundaries that prevent code execution with elevated privileges or system-level access. However, this particular flaw allows attackers to craft specially designed SWF files that can circumvent these protective measures, enabling unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the Flash Player process itself. The vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of privilege levels during content execution, where the sandbox fails to maintain proper isolation between trusted and untrusted code paths. This issue aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic sandbox escape vulnerability that undermines fundamental security principles of application isolation.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0643 is severe and has been demonstrated in real-world exploitation scenarios. Attackers leveraged this vulnerability in February 2013 through targeted campaigns that delivered malicious SWF content via compromised websites and social engineering tactics. The exploit allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Systems running vulnerable Flash Player versions become susceptible to full system compromise, as the sandbox bypass enables attackers to perform actions such as file system access, registry modification, process injection, and privilege escalation. The attack surface extends across multiple platforms including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, demonstrating the widespread nature of the vulnerability and its potential for large-scale exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0643 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 10.3.183.67 or later for Flash Player 10, and 11.6.602.171 or later for Flash Player 11.x on Windows and Mac OS X, with corresponding updates for Linux platforms. Beyond patching, security administrators should implement additional protective measures including disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing network-based controls to block Flash content, and establishing robust monitoring for suspicious Flash-related activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system privileges to gain elevated access. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security controls such as sandboxing at the operating system level, content filtering solutions, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques that target application sandboxing mechanisms.