CVE-2014-0589 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow 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-2014-0582.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0589 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR platforms that affected multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This vulnerability resides in the heap memory management subsystem of these applications, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious actors to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The flaw specifically impacts Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.252 and 14.x and 15.x versions before 15.0.0.223 on Windows and OS X platforms, while Linux users were affected by versions before 11.2.202.418. Additionally, Adobe AIR versions before 15.0.0.356 and corresponding SDK versions were equally vulnerable, creating a widespread attack surface across multiple Adobe products and development environments. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from CVE-2014-0582, indicating a distinct exploitation mechanism that requires careful analysis of the underlying memory corruption patterns.
The technical implementation of this heap-based buffer overflow stems from improper memory allocation and validation routines within Adobe's Flash Player and AIR runtime environments. When processing maliciously crafted content, the application fails to properly validate input data against predetermined buffer sizes, allowing attackers to overflow heap-allocated memory regions. This memory corruption typically occurs during the parsing of multimedia content, particularly when handling complex graphics or script elements that trigger the vulnerable code path. The heap memory corruption creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory pointers, overwrite critical function pointers, or inject malicious code into the application's execution context. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow indicates that the flaw specifically involves inadequate bounds checking in heap memory operations, where the application allocates memory dynamically and fails to verify that data writes remain within allocated boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because heap corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the compromised application, often resulting in full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0589 extends beyond simple code execution, creating significant risks for enterprise environments and individual users alike. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that organizations using Adobe Flash Player or AIR across different operating systems face identical risks, requiring comprehensive security updates across all affected platforms. The vulnerability's presence in Adobe AIR SDK components also impacts developers who may inadvertently create applications that expose end-users to these exploits, creating an additional attack vector through application development environments. Organizations with legacy systems running older versions of these Adobe products face particularly high risk, as many enterprises maintain older Flash-based applications for compatibility reasons. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires social engineering to deliver malicious content, often through compromised websites or malicious email attachments that trigger the vulnerable Flash Player components when users view content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0589 require immediate patch deployment across all affected Adobe products and platforms, with particular attention to the specific version numbers mentioned in the vulnerability description. Security teams should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 13.0.0.252 and 14.x and 15.x 15.0.0.223 or later, while ensuring Adobe AIR installations reach version 15.0.0.356 or higher. The Adobe AIR SDK and Compiler components require similar attention, as these development tools can inadvertently expose end-users to exploitation through vulnerable applications. Network security controls should include web content filtering to block Flash content from untrusted sources, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious Flash Player behavior. Organizations should implement a comprehensive patch management strategy that includes regular vulnerability assessments and automated update deployment processes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Windows Command Shell, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute shell commands and establish persistent access. Additionally, the vulnerability's characteristics align with T1190 exploitation of remote services, as attackers can remotely compromise systems through web-based delivery mechanisms. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous memory allocation patterns, unexpected process behavior, and network connections initiated by Flash Player processes, as these indicators may signal exploitation attempts.