CVE-2014-0573 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.252 and 14.x and 15.x before 15.0.0.223 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.418 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 15.0.0.356, Adobe AIR SDK before 15.0.0.356, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 15.0.0.356 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-0588 and CVE-2014-8438.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
This use-after-free vulnerability exists within Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments across multiple platforms and versions. The flaw represents a classic memory safety issue where freed memory blocks are accessed after being deallocated, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors. The vulnerability affects Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.252 for Windows and OS X, and 11.2.202.418 for Linux, alongside corresponding Adobe AIR versions before 15.0.0.356. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory in software applications. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise when exploited successfully.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. When objects are freed from memory but references to those objects persist, attackers can manipulate the memory layout to redirect execution flow. This particular flaw operates through unspecified vectors that differ from related vulnerabilities CVE-2014-0588 and CVE-2014-8438, indicating a distinct exploitation pathway. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because Flash Player was widely deployed across desktop systems, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent system access. The exploitation requires specific conditions to be met within the runtime environment where memory management errors can be leveraged for code execution.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Flash Player remains enabled in browsers and applications. Attackers can leverage the use-after-free condition to inject malicious code into memory spaces, potentially escalating privileges and executing arbitrary commands with system-level access. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that organizations running Windows, OS X, and Linux systems all face exposure, though the specific version thresholds vary by platform. The attack surface is broad due to Flash Player's integration with web browsers, desktop applications, and mobile platforms, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages for execution, as attackers can leverage Flash to deliver malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies must include immediate patch deployment for all affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely updates across all systems. Additional protective measures include disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. Network-based detection systems should be configured to identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous network traffic patterns associated with Flash-based attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software environments and implementing layered security controls to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.