CVE-2013-5331 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 11.7.700.257 and 11.8.x and 11.9.x before 11.9.900.170 on Windows and Mac OS X and before 11.2.202.332 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 3.9.0.1380, Adobe AIR SDK before 3.9.0.1380, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 3.9.0.1380 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted .swf content that leverages an unspecified "type confusion," as exploited in the wild in December 2013.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 11.7.700.257 on Windows and Mac OS X, and versions before 11.2.202.332 on Linux, along with Adobe AIR versions before 3.9.0.1380, contained a critical type confusion vulnerability that enabled remote code execution through maliciously crafted .swf files. This vulnerability specifically manifested in the Flash Player's handling of object types during runtime execution, where the software failed to properly validate data types when processing serialized content. The flaw allowed attackers to manipulate the memory layout of objects in ways that could lead to arbitrary code execution, making it a severe security issue that was actively exploited in the wild during December 2013. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental flaw in the Flash Player's object model implementation where type checking mechanisms were insufficient to prevent attackers from forcing the system to treat data as different types than intended. This type confusion vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically related to improper handling of data types in memory management operations. The attack vector leveraged the Flash Player's ability to parse and execute ActionScript bytecode from .swf files, where crafted malicious content could manipulate internal object structures to redirect execution flow. The exploitation technique involved creating specially crafted .swf files that would trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player versions, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be triggered through web browsing activities without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and watering hole compromises. The affected systems included not just the Flash Player runtime but also the Adobe AIR runtime environments, which are commonly used for desktop application development and deployment. The exploit required minimal user interaction and could be delivered through various web-based attack vectors, including compromised websites, malicious advertisements, and social engineering campaigns. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability's exploitation was highly reliable and that the attack could bypass many traditional security controls due to the deep integration of Flash Player within web browsers. The type confusion flaw was particularly concerning because it occurred at the core runtime level where type safety mechanisms should have prevented such behavior. The vulnerability was classified as a critical security issue by multiple security vendors and was widely reported in security advisories as one of the most significant Flash Player vulnerabilities of 2013. The attack pattern aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the Windows Scripting Host and Flash Player runtime environments. Organizations that had not updated their Flash Player installations were particularly vulnerable, as the exploit could be delivered through standard web browsing activities. The patch released by Adobe addressed the core type confusion issue by implementing stricter type validation mechanisms and improved memory management routines within the Flash Player runtime. Security professionals recommended immediate patching of all affected systems and advised organizations to consider disabling Flash Player entirely due to the prevalence of similar vulnerabilities in the runtime environment. The vulnerability demonstrated the risks associated with complex runtime environments and highlighted the importance of robust type safety mechanisms in software development. Organizations implementing security monitoring solutions needed to detect unusual Flash Player behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The incident underscored the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the dangers of running outdated software components that could serve as attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. This vulnerability was part of a broader pattern of Flash Player exploits that had been targeting enterprises and individual users through various delivery mechanisms, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint security measures beyond traditional antivirus solutions. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrated the critical importance of keeping multimedia runtime environments updated and the risks associated with running legacy software components that may contain unpatched security flaws.