CVE-2013-0645 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.63 and 11.x before 11.6.602.168 on Windows, before 10.3.183.61 and 11.x before 11.6.602.167 on Mac OS X, before 10.3.183.61 and 11.x before 11.2.202.270 on Linux, before 11.1.111.43 on Android 2.x and 3.x, and before 11.1.115.47 on Android 4.x; Adobe AIR before 3.6.0.597; and Adobe AIR SDK before 3.6.0.599 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0642, CVE-2013-1365, CVE-2013-1366, CVE-2013-1367, CVE-2013-1368, CVE-2013-1369, CVE-2013-1370, CVE-2013-1372, and CVE-2013-1373.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
Adobe Flash Player suffered from a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that affected multiple operating systems and versions of the software. This vulnerability existed in Flash Player versions prior to 10.3.183.63 on Windows, 10.3.183.61 on Mac OS X, 10.3.183.61 on Linux, 11.1.111.43 on Android 2.x and 3.x, and 11.1.115.47 on Android 4.x, along with affected versions of Adobe AIR and AIR SDK. The flaw allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems through unspecified attack vectors that differed from other known vulnerabilities in the same timeframe. This vulnerability was classified under CWE-121, which represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The security implications were severe as buffer overflows in multimedia frameworks like Flash Player provide attackers with pathways to achieve remote code execution, often through crafted malicious content delivered via web browsers or email attachments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relied on the improper handling of memory allocation within Flash Player's processing of multimedia content. Attackers could craft specially designed flash files or web content that would trigger the buffer overflow when processed by the vulnerable software versions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in browser environments where Flash Player is commonly used for rich media content, as it allows for seamless exploitation through web-based attack vectors. The vulnerability's impact extended across multiple platforms due to the cross-platform nature of Flash Player, making it a widespread concern for organizations using the software. The attack surface was broadened by the prevalence of Flash content on websites and the ease with which malicious content could be embedded in legitimate web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0645 was significant for organizations relying on Flash Player, as it provided a direct pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems. This vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against specific users or organizations, particularly those with outdated Flash Player installations. The attack vector typically involved phishing emails containing malicious Flash content or compromised websites serving malicious Flash files that would automatically execute upon page load. The vulnerability's exploitation often resulted in full system compromise, allowing attackers to install additional malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations faced challenges in identifying and patching all affected installations due to the widespread use of Flash Player across various platforms and the potential for long-term exposure in environments with delayed patch deployment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of all affected Flash Player versions across all supported platforms. Organizations should have implemented network-based controls to block Flash content delivery when possible, and deployed endpoint protection solutions that could detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams needed to conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all systems running vulnerable Flash Player versions and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software across all platforms and implementing robust patch management processes. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation often involved execution of malicious code through the Flash Player interpreter. Additionally, the attack would fall under T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, representing the exploitation of client-side applications for code execution. Organizations should have also implemented application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Flash content to trusted sources only, and established monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual network traffic or system behavior patterns.