CVE-2020-9633 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 32.0.0.371 and earlier, 32.0.0.371 and earlier, and 32.0.0.330 and earlier have an use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2020
Adobe Flash Player contains a critical use after free vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 32.0.0.371 and earlier, as well as 32.0.0.330 and earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management where the application continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw resides in the player's handling of certain object lifecycle management, particularly within the ActionScript execution environment where objects are allocated and deallocated during runtime operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software systems. When a program frees memory but continues to reference that memory location, attackers can manipulate the freed memory to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This represents a severe security risk as the exploitation chain typically begins with a specially crafted flash file that triggers the memory management error during normal playback operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because Flash Player runs with high privileges on most systems, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could enable initial access through malicious flash content delivered via phishing campaigns or compromised websites, followed by privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across enterprise environments means that exploitation could affect numerous targets simultaneously, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations that continue to use outdated Flash Player versions face significant risk of being compromised through this use after free condition.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including immediate patching of all affected Flash Player installations, as well as implementing network-level controls to block flash content delivery. Security teams should deploy application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted flash content and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software deployments and demonstrates why organizations should phase out legacy technologies like Flash Player entirely, as these systems represent persistent security risks that are difficult to secure adequately. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should specifically target legacy software components to identify and remediate similar use after free conditions that may exist in other applications.