CVE-2014-0537 in Flash
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.231 and 14.x before 14.0.0.145 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.394 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 14.0.0.137 on Android, Adobe AIR SDK before 14.0.0.137, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 14.0.0.137 allow attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-0539.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2022
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR versions prior to specified patches contain a critical access control vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass intended security restrictions through unspecified vectors. This vulnerability affects multiple platforms including Windows, OS X, and Linux operating systems, with specific version ranges indicating the scope of affected software. The flaw represents a distinct security weakness separate from CVE-2014-0539, suggesting multiple attack surfaces within the Adobe runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Flash Player and AIR runtime components, potentially allowing unauthorized code execution or data access. This issue particularly impacts environments where Adobe Flash content is actively used, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to circumvent security boundaries that normally protect system resources and user data. The access control bypass represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Flash Player remains in use, as it could allow malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or access restricted system components. Security researchers have identified this as a serious concern within the context of web browser security and runtime environment protection, with implications for both desktop and mobile platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of maintaining secure runtime environments where multiple security domains must be properly enforced, and where insufficient access control validation can lead to severe exploitation opportunities. This weakness directly relates to CWE-284 which describes improper access control vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR should prioritize immediate patching to address this access control bypass vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this access control bypass involves mechanisms within Adobe Flash Player and AIR that fail to properly validate access permissions for system resources or restricted functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform operations that should normally be restricted, potentially gaining access to files, system processes, or network resources that are normally protected by the runtime's security model. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple platforms due to the shared underlying architecture of Adobe's runtime components, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with heterogeneous computing environments. The specific version ranges indicate that this vulnerability was present in widely deployed software versions, increasing the potential attack surface significantly. The fact that this vulnerability differs from CVE-2014-0539 suggests that the underlying flaw exists in different code paths or components within the Adobe runtime system. Security analysts have noted that such access control bypasses often occur when runtime environments fail to properly enforce security boundaries between different execution contexts. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in how the Adobe runtime handles access restrictions, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive system information through carefully crafted Flash content. This weakness particularly affects environments where Flash Player is integrated into web browsers or desktop applications, creating multiple potential attack vectors for malicious actors. The issue demonstrates how runtime security models can be compromised when access control validation is insufficiently implemented or maintained across different software versions and platforms.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability by updating all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR installations to the patched versions. The recommended approach involves comprehensive patch management procedures targeting specifically the affected version ranges across all supported platforms. Security teams should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software, particularly those with high-value assets or sensitive data access. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation makes it especially critical for enterprise security teams to prioritize this patch deployment across all organizational systems. Additional defensive measures should include browser security hardening, disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, and implementing network-based security controls to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Flash content to trusted sources only. The remediation process should include verification procedures to confirm that patched versions are properly installed and functioning correctly. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts using this access control bypass vulnerability. Regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that all Adobe runtime components remain up to date with the latest security patches. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices for legacy software components that continue to be deployed in enterprise environments.
The vulnerability's classification under CWE-284 emphasizes the fundamental weakness in access control implementation within Adobe's runtime environment, where proper security boundaries between different execution contexts have been compromised. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes how attackers can leverage command and scripting interpreters to execute malicious code, potentially through the exploited Flash Player runtime. The access control bypass represents a critical failure in the runtime's security model, where attackers can circumvent intended restrictions on system resources. This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure runtime environments, particularly for widely deployed software like Adobe Flash Player that has historically been targeted by attackers. The distinction from CVE-2014-0539 indicates that multiple attack vectors exist within the Adobe runtime, requiring comprehensive security assessments and patching efforts. Organizations should recognize that this vulnerability represents a serious threat to system integrity and data protection, particularly in environments where legacy Flash content continues to be used. The security implications extend beyond immediate exploitation to include potential long-term access to compromised systems, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining overall security posture. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of continuous security monitoring and timely patch management for all software components in enterprise environments.