CVE-2011-0611
Adobe Flash Player Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2011-0611 is a HIGH vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player, carrying a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8. Adobe Flash Player contains a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via crafted Flash content. The flaw is classified under CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')). Exploitation typically occurs through malicious Flash content embedded in web pages or delivered via documents containing embedded SWF objects, triggering the vulnerability when the content is rendered. This CVE is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24. With an EPSS score of 0.93612 (99.83th percentile), this vulnerability exhibits substantial real-world exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| adobe | flash player | < 10.2.154.27; <= 10.2.156.12 |
| adobe | acrobat reader | >= 9.0, < 9.4.4; >= 10.0, <= 10.0.1; >= 10.0, < 10.0.3 |
| adobe | adobe air | < 2.6.19140 |
| adobe | acrobat | >= 9.0, < 9.4; >= 10.0, < 10.0.3 |
| chrome | < 10.0.648.205 | |
| opensuse | opensuse | 11.2; 11.3; 11.4 |
| suse | linux enterprise desktop | 10; 11 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2011/04/12/analysis-of-the-cve-2011-0611-adobe-flash-player-vulnerability-exploitation.aspx(Not Applicable)
- http://bugix-security.blogspot.com/2011/04/cve-2011-0611-adobe-flash-zero-day.html(Exploit)
- http://contagiodump.blogspot.com/2011/04/apr-8-cve-2011-0611-flash-player-zero.html(Exploit, Issue Tracking)
- http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/2011/04/stable-channel-update.html(Release Notes)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2011-04/msg00004.html(Mailing List, Patch)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/44119(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/44141(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/44149(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://secunia.com/blog/210/(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://securityreason.com/securityalert/8204(Third Party Advisory)
- http://securityreason.com/securityalert/8292(Third Party Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa11-02.html(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-07.html(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-08.html(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/17175(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/230057(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2011-0451.html(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/47314(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025324(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025325(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0922(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0923(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0924(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/66681(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A14175(Broken Link)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2011-0611(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-843: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
CVE-2011-0611 is classified under CWE-843 — Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion'). Type Confusion occurs when a product allocates or initializes a resource using one type but later accesses that resource using an incompatible type. When the resource is accessed using the wrong type, it may lack expected properties, triggering logical errors. In memory-unsafe languages like C and C++, type confusion can enable out-of-bounds memory access because different types have different sizes and memory layouts. Attackers can exploit type confusion to read or write memory outside intended boundaries, potentially leading to code execution, information disclosure, or system crashes.
In the context of Adobe Flash Player, this weakness class is particularly concerning because the product is widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments. Type confusion vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in low-level languages where type information is not enforced at runtime. Accessing memory through an incompatible type can cause reading beyond buffer boundaries (information disclosure), writing beyond buffer boundaries (memory corruption), interpreting data incorrectly (logic errors), and corrupting adjacent memory structures (code execution). In languages with looser type systems (PHP, JavaScript, Perl), type confusion can cause unexpected behavior in comparisons, mathematical operations, or data processing. Browser engines and document parsers are frequent targets for type confusion attacks. Organizations using affected versions should understand that this weakness class frequently enables reliable exploitation paths that threat actors actively leverage in both targeted and opportunistic attacks.
Impact Analysis
CVE-2011-0611 carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (HIGH) with the following impact characteristics.
Confidentiality (HIGH): An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to all data accessible by the affected component. In the context of Adobe Flash Player, this can include sensitive configuration data, user credentials, proprietary business information, and any data the application processes or stores.
Integrity (HIGH): Successful exploitation enables an attacker to modify, corrupt, or destroy data within the affected system. This includes the potential to tamper with system files, install backdoors or persistent malware, alter critical configurations, and manipulate application logic to serve malicious purposes.
Availability (HIGH): The vulnerability can be exploited to cause complete denial of service, rendering the affected system or application unavailable to legitimate users. System crashes, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion may persist until manual administrative intervention restores normal operation.
Scope (Unchanged): The exploitation impact is contained within the security scope of the vulnerable component itself. While the damage within that scope can be severe with full compromise of the affected application, lateral impact on other systems requires additional exploitation steps.
With an EPSS score of 0.93612 (99.83th percentile), this vulnerability ranks among the most likely to be exploited in the wild, placing it well above the vast majority of all cataloged vulnerabilities in terms of real-world exploitation activity.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2011-0611 demonstrates significant exploit maturity with confirmed active exploitation in the wild.
Active exploitation: This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming that it has been observed being actively exploited by threat actors. The KEV designation mandates federal agencies to apply remediation within a defined timeframe and serves as a strong signal of real-world risk.
Ransomware association: As of the current KEV catalog data, no direct ransomware association has been confirmed for CVE-2011-0611. However, the vulnerability's characteristics and confirmed exploitation in the wild mean it remains a viable vector for various threat actors including cybercriminals and advanced persistent threat groups.
Public exploits: Public exploit code is available, significantly lowering the barrier for exploitation. Known exploit references include entries on Exploit-DB and additional vulnerability databases. The availability of weaponized code means that both sophisticated threat actors and less-skilled attackers can target this vulnerability with minimal development effort.
KEV remediation deadline: CISA set a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24 for federal agencies, underscoring the urgency of patching. Organizations beyond the federal sector should treat this deadline as a strong indicator of the risk level and prioritize remediation accordingly.
Remediation
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Apply vendor-provided security patches immediately. The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use. Consult the official security advisory for specific patch versions and deployment guidance.
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Verify affected product versions in your environment. Affected products include: Flash Player (< 10.2.154.27; <= 10.2.156.12), Acrobat Reader (>= 9.0, < 9.4.4; >= 10.0, <= 10.0.1; >= 10.0, < 10.0.3), Adobe Air (< 2.6.19140), Acrobat (>= 9.0, < 9.4; >= 10.0, < 10.0.3), Chrome (< 10.0.648.205), Opensuse (11.2; 11.3; 11.4), Linux Enterprise Desktop (10; 11). Conduct an inventory of all instances across your organization to ensure comprehensive patch coverage and prevent any unpatched systems from remaining exposed.
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Implement interim mitigations if immediate patching is not feasible. Restrict network access to the affected service using firewall rules and access control lists. Limit exposure to trusted networks only and monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns targeting the vulnerable service.
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Enable enhanced monitoring and detection. Configure intrusion detection systems and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2011-0611. Review security logs for indicators of compromise and establish alerting for anomalous behavior on systems running affected software.
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Conduct a post-patch vulnerability assessment. After applying patches, verify that the remediation was effective by running vulnerability scans against all previously affected systems. Confirm the vulnerability is no longer present and ensure no instances were missed during deployment.
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Review and update incident response procedures. Ensure your incident response plan accounts for potential exploitation of CVE-2011-0611. Document patching status and maintain evidence of remediation for compliance and audit purposes.
Technical Details
CVE-2011-0611 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Adobe Flash Player. Adobe Flash Player contains a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via crafted Flash content.
Attack Vector: The attack vector is NETWORK, meaning the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring the attacker to have local access to the target system. This significantly expands the potential attacker population and makes the vulnerability accessible to remote threat actors.
Attack Complexity: The attack complexity is LOW. Exploitation does not require specialized conditions, race conditions, or extensive preparation — making it accessible to a broad range of attackers including those with limited technical sophistication.
Prerequisites: No prior privileges are required. User interaction is required, typically involving a victim opening a specially crafted file, clicking a malicious link, or visiting a compromised website.
Underlying mechanism: The vulnerability stems from access of resource using incompatible type ('type confusion'), where type confusion occurs when a product allocates or initializes a resource using one type but later accesses that resource using an incompatible type. In the context of Flash Player, this manifests when processing specially crafted input that triggers the underlying memory corruption or logic flaw, allowing the attacker to achieve code execution or other malicious outcomes.
Affected products: Flash Player (< 10.2.154.27; <= 10.2.156.12), Acrobat Reader (>= 9.0, < 9.4.4; >= 10.0, <= 10.0.1; >= 10.0, < 10.0.3), Adobe Air (< 2.6.19140), Acrobat (>= 9.0, < 9.4; >= 10.0, < 10.0.3), Chrome (< 10.0.648.205), Opensuse (11.2; 11.3; 11.4), Linux Enterprise Desktop (10; 11). Organizations should cross-reference their deployed versions against this list to assess their exposure to this vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2011-0611?
CVE-2011-0611 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) affecting Adobe Flash Player. Adobe Flash Player contains a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via crafted Flash content. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild.
Which products are affected by CVE-2011-0611?
The vulnerability affects Adobe products including Flash Player, Acrobat Reader, Adobe Air, Acrobat. Affected versions include < 10.2.154.27; <= 10.2.156.12. Organizations should consult the vendor's security advisory for the complete list of affected versions and available patches.
How do I fix CVE-2011-0611?
The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use. Refer to the official vendor security advisory for specific patch downloads and deployment instructions. If immediate patching is not possible, implement interim mitigations such as restricting access to the vulnerable component, enabling enhanced monitoring, and educating users about potential attack vectors. Verify remediation effectiveness with post-patch vulnerability scanning.
How severe is CVE-2011-0611?
CVE-2011-0611 is rated HIGH with a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8. Its EPSS score of 0.93612 places it in the 99.83th percentile for exploitation likelihood, meaning it is more likely to be exploited than 99.8% of all known vulnerabilities. The KEV remediation deadline was 2022-03-24, and the vulnerability's confirmed active exploitation makes it a high-priority remediation target. Organizations should treat patching as urgent regardless of whether they believe they are currently targeted.
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