MPSB03-08 Update to Flash Player Addressing Local Shared Object Security
Originally posted: December 16, 2003
Last updated: December 16, 2003
Summary
A recently discovered security flaw in the Internet Explorer and Opera browsers may allow improper access to certain local files. A potential exploit can then be created in association with the local Flash data file to allow a malicious user to gain access to information stored on the local machine.
Solution
Macromedia has released an updated version of Macromedia Flash Player (7,0,19,0) that can be downloaded from the Macromedia Player Download Center.
This new version stores local data in a way that a malicious user cannot access it from applications other than Flash Player. This ensures Flash movies are able to work properly with data saved to the local file system, but external applications, such as web browsers, are not.
Severity Rating
Macromedia categorizes this issue as an important update and recommends users update to the newest player.
Details
This release of Flash Player addresses the potential for exploits due to the predictability of the location of data stored by the Flash movies. While this is not in itself a directly exploitable vulnerability, an exploit can be created in combination with a security flaw in the browser. If the data stored by Flash Player on the local file system is a script, then it may be possible for that script to be executed on the local machine using a browser.
This update prevents data stored by Flash movies from being used maliciously. However, at this time no updates to Internet Explorer and Opera browsers addressing the vulnerabilities in those products have been announced.
Revisions
December 16, 2003 — Bulletin first created.
Reporting Security Issues
Macromedia is committed to addressing security issues and providing customers with the information on how they can protect themselves. If you identify what you believe may be a security issue with a Macromedia product, please send an email to secure@macromedia.com. We will work to appropriately address and communicate the issue.
Receiving Security Bulletins
When Macromedia becomes aware of a security issue that we believe significantly affects our products or customers, we will notify customers when appropriate. Typically this notification will be in the form of a security bulletin explaining the issue and the response. Macromedia customers who would like to receive notification of new security bulletins when they are released can sign up for our security notification service.
For additional information on security issues at Macromedia, please visit: http://www.macromedia.com/security.
ANY INFORMATION, PATCHES, DOWNLOADS, WORKAROUNDS OR FIXES PROVIDED BY MACROMEDIA IN THIS BULLETIN ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MACROMEDIA AND ITS SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ALSO, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, TITLE OR QUIET ENJOYMENT. (USA ONLY) SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
IN NO EVENT SHALL MACROMEDIA, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, COVER, LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR THE LIKE, OR LOSS OF BUSINESS DAMAGES, BASED ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY INCLUDING BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, TORT(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF MACROMEDIA, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. (USA ONLY) SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
Macromedia reserves the right, from time to time, to update the information in this document with current information.
