CVE-2013-3334 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 10.3.183.86 and 11.x before 11.7.700.202 on Windows and Mac OS X, before 10.3.183.86 and 11.x before 11.2.202.285 on Linux, before 11.1.111.54 on Android 2.x and 3.x, and before 11.1.115.58 on Android 4.x; Adobe AIR before 3.7.0.1860; and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 3.7.0.1860 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-2728, CVE-2013-3324, CVE-2013-3325, CVE-2013-3326, CVE-2013-3327, CVE-2013-3328, CVE-2013-3329, CVE-2013-3330, CVE-2013-3331, CVE-2013-3332, CVE-2013-3333, and CVE-2013-3335.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR versions prior to specified patches contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, as well as various Android versions, making it particularly widespread and dangerous. The flaw exists in the way these applications handle certain data structures during processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through crafted input. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which represents "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787, representing "Out-of-bounds Write", both of which are fundamental memory safety issues. The attack surface is extensive given Flash Player's widespread deployment across desktop and mobile platforms, making it a prime target for exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability differs from several other CVEs in the same year, indicating a distinct code path or memory handling mechanism that was not addressed by previous patches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that can be triggered when Flash Player processes specially crafted content. Attackers can leverage this flaw by delivering malicious Flash content through web browsers or other applications that embed Flash Player functionality. The memory corruption can manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory handling errors that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. These conditions can be exploited to redirect program execution flow or inject malicious code into the target system's memory space. The exploitation requires no local privileges and can be executed remotely through web browsers, making it particularly dangerous for end users who may inadvertently visit compromised websites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service scenarios where system stability is compromised through memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant across enterprise environments where Flash Player remains widely deployed despite its declining support. Organizations using legacy systems that continue to rely on Flash Player are particularly vulnerable to exploitation attempts, as these systems often lack the security updates necessary to protect against such attacks. The vulnerability affects not only traditional desktop environments but also mobile platforms through Adobe AIR applications, expanding the potential attack surface. Security professionals must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability when assessing their organization's attack surface, particularly in environments where Flash content is still utilized for legacy applications or web-based services. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions across different platforms necessitates comprehensive patch management strategies and potentially immediate mitigation measures for systems that cannot be updated immediately. This type of vulnerability commonly appears in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" or similar execution techniques when attackers leverage memory corruption to establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations across all supported platforms. Organizations should implement automated patch management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain inventory tracking of all Flash Player installations. Network-based mitigations such as content filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers while patches are being deployed. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious behavior patterns associated with memory corruption attacks. Disabling Flash Player in web browsers where it is not required provides a temporary workaround while more permanent solutions are implemented. Regular security assessments should verify that all systems have been properly updated and that no legacy Flash content remains active in production environments. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for zero-day exploitation campaigns, emphasizing the importance of proactive security measures and continuous monitoring for signs of compromise.