CVE-2013-3345 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 11.7.700.232 and 11.8.x before 11.8.800.94 on Windows and Mac OS X, before 11.2.202.297 on Linux, before 11.1.111.64 on Android 2.x and 3.x, and before 11.1.115.69 on Android 4.x allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2021
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to specific patches contain a memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and various Android versions, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw. The memory corruption issue arises from improper handling of data structures within the Flash Player runtime environment, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors without requiring user interaction, making it a significant threat to users of affected versions. The flaw exists in the way Flash Player processes certain multimedia content and handles memory allocation for dynamic objects, allowing attackers to craft malicious content that triggers buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions, which can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack surface is broad as Flash Player was widely deployed across multiple platforms and device types, providing attackers with numerous potential entry points. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute code on target systems. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers can potentially overwrite critical memory locations, including function pointers or return addresses, leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because Flash Player was often enabled by default in web browsers, making users susceptible to exploitation through routine web browsing activities. The affected versions span multiple release lines, indicating a persistent flaw in the codebase that required patching across different platform-specific builds. The vulnerability affects not only desktop operating systems but also mobile platforms, highlighting the cross-platform nature of the security issue. The lack of specific details about the attack vectors in the original CVE description suggests that the flaw may be exploitable through multiple methods including malformed multimedia content, embedded scripts, or crafted web pages. The memory corruption nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to detect and prevent, as it may not produce obvious error conditions during normal operation. Security researchers have noted that such memory corruption vulnerabilities often require sophisticated exploitation techniques including information leakage, return-oriented programming, or other advanced methods to achieve reliable code execution. The patching requirements for this vulnerability span across multiple operating system versions and platform architectures, indicating a complex software ecosystem that required coordinated updates. Organizations should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security posture, as it represents a significant risk to systems that continue to use outdated Flash Player versions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms that attackers can leverage for extended access to compromised systems. The widespread deployment of Flash Player across different platforms and the ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited make it a critical concern for enterprise security teams. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with common exploitation patterns described in security literature, where attackers target memory management functions to achieve arbitrary code execution. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Flash Player installations across their environments, as the vulnerability represents a clear and present danger to system security. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the category of exploits that can be particularly difficult to defend against using traditional security measures. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that security teams must implement comprehensive patch management processes across all supported operating systems and device types. The exploitation of this vulnerability through unspecified vectors indicates that attackers may be using multiple approaches to achieve successful compromise, making it essential to implement robust monitoring and detection capabilities. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling exercises, particularly when assessing risks associated with legacy multimedia software components. The patching process for this vulnerability requires careful consideration of compatibility issues, as Flash Player was deeply integrated into many web browsing environments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and browser sandboxing to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure multimedia frameworks and the importance of regular security updates for widely deployed software components. The memory corruption characteristics of this vulnerability make it particularly suitable for advanced persistent threat actors who may be looking to establish long-term access to compromised systems.