CVE-2014-0556 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.244 and 14.x and 15.x before 15.0.0.152 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.406 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 15.0.0.249 on Windows and OS X and before 15.0.0.252 on Android, Adobe AIR SDK before 15.0.0.249, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 15.0.0.249 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-0559.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0556 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments across multiple platforms and versions. This flaw exists in Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.244 and 14.x and 15.x before 15.0.0.152 on Windows and OS X, and in Adobe AIR versions before 15.0.0.249 on Windows and OS X and before 15.0.0.252 on Android, along with corresponding Adobe AIR SDK versions. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the processing of multimedia content and is classified under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a buffer allocated on the heap than the buffer can accommodate.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through unspecified attack vectors that differ from the related CVE-2014-0559 vulnerability. Attackers can leverage this heap overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling code injection attacks. The attack typically involves crafting malicious Flash content that, when rendered by the vulnerable player, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web browsers that have Flash Player enabled, making it a common attack vector for drive-by download scenarios. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0556 is severe, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when successful. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player or AIR are vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that can result in data breaches, system takeover, and persistence mechanisms being established. The vulnerability affects widely deployed software across multiple operating systems, increasing its attack surface and potential impact. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild, particularly targeting users with outdated Flash Player installations. The exploitation typically requires no user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may not regularly update their software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0556 primarily involve immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations to the latest supported versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive software inventory management to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering can provide temporary protection while patches are deployed. Additionally, implementing Adobe's recommended security practices including disabling Flash Player in web browsers, using sandboxing technologies, and employing privilege separation techniques can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software ecosystems and highlights the critical nature of timely security patches in preventing widespread exploitation of known vulnerabilities.