CVE-2014-4671 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 do not properly restrict the SWF file format, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks against JSONP endpoints, and obtain sensitive information, via a crafted OBJECT element with SWF content satisfying the character-set requirements of a callback API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.231 on Windows and OS X, and 14.x versions before 14.0.0.145 on these platforms, along with older versions on Linux and Adobe AIR on Android, contained a critical security flaw that enabled attackers to exploit cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities through malformed SWF file content. This vulnerability specifically affected the SWF file format processing mechanism within Adobe's multimedia framework, which failed to properly validate and restrict the content of embedded SWF objects, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate JSONP endpoints. The flaw manifested when attackers crafted specially designed OBJECT elements containing SWF content that met specific character-set requirements of callback APIs, allowing them to execute unauthorized requests against web applications that relied on JSONP for cross-domain data retrieval. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of SWF file parameters, which permitted attackers to bypass security restrictions that should have prevented unauthorized cross-domain requests. This issue falls under CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, as the system failed to adequately verify the legitimacy of SWF content before executing embedded operations. The attack vector specifically leverages the trust model inherent in Flash Player's handling of embedded content, where legitimate SWF files could be used to proxy requests to sensitive endpoints without proper authentication or authorization checks. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it enables attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users against JSONP endpoints that typically lack proper CSRF protection mechanisms. This creates a significant risk for applications that rely on JSONP for data retrieval, particularly those that expose sensitive user information or perform privileged operations through callback-based APIs. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it exploits the JavaScript execution environment within Flash Player to manipulate cross-domain requests. Security researchers identified that the flaw exploited the way Flash Player processed external SWF content within HTML OBJECT tags, particularly when these objects contained callback parameters that matched the expected character sets of legitimate JSONP endpoints. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently access untrusted websites. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR were vulnerable to unauthorized access to sensitive information through CSRF attacks that could bypass traditional web application security controls. The vulnerability also impacted Adobe AIR SDK and compiler versions prior to 14.0.0.137, indicating that the issue affected both runtime environments and development tools. Mitigation strategies required immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR versions, along with implementing additional web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious cross-site request patterns. Security professionals recommended disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, as the vulnerability could be exploited through malicious websites without requiring user interaction beyond normal browsing. The flaw demonstrated the importance of proper input validation in multimedia frameworks and highlighted the risks associated with legacy web technologies that continue to be widely deployed despite known security vulnerabilities. Organizations needed to conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all systems running affected software versions and implement immediate remediation measures to prevent exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability in JSONP endpoints.