Adobe Systems has updated its Flash multimedia software to eliminate five flaws affecting Windows, OS X, and Linux systems.
The update fixes a critical flaw that could cause a PC to be hacked merely by viewing a malicious SWF (Shockwave Flash) file, according to Adobe's advisory.
[ See also: "Adobe flaw has been used in attacks since early January" | Learn how to secure your systems with Roger Grimes' Security Adviser blog and newsletter, both from InfoWorld. ]
Flash vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous due to the widespread use of the graphics format across the Internet for rich Web pages and banner advertisements. Most Web browsers have the Flash player plug-in installed, which makes it an attractive target for hackers.
Online advertising networks have struggled to keep malicious Flash advertisements off their networks, as they are often difficult to detect.
Victims of a Flash attack are usually duped via a social engineering trick or by viewing malicious content injected into a trusted site, according to a warning from iDefense, the security branch of VeriSign.
Two of the other Adobe updates address potential problems with "clickjacking," a difficult but powerful hack that lures a victim into clicking on a certain place on a Web page in order to enable an attack.
The other two updates fix a potential DoS condition caused by an input validation problem, and the remaining one fixes an information disclosure problem on Linux systems.
The most up-to-date Flash player for most users is 10.0.22.87. Other versions are available for users of AIR or Flash CS3 Professional: Adobe has published a chart in its advisory listing the upgrades.
Adobe has a Web page that will automatically display what Flash version a computer is using. Flash also has an auto-update system that will prompt a user that it's time to upgrade.
The latest Flash problems come as Adobe is grappling with another serious vulnerability in its Acrobat and Reader products, used for reading PDF files, that affects both Apple and Windows users.
The flaw can allow an attacker to take over a computer if someone opens a malicious PDF file. Adobe has said it will issue a patch by March 11, but security experts have cautioned it leaves a wide time window for attacks.
Security vendor Sourcefire has said it has traced PDF attacks going back to Jan. 9. The company has issued an unsupported temporary patch.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts
This white paper provides guidance on how to develop a strategic approach to managing and monitoring logs, a key function required for compliance with many regulatory mandates and a critical defense against security threats.
Download now! »
Learn about the processes and technologies that support security information management (SIM) operations, as well as the business case for SIM. The series examines different options for implementing SIM and gives you evaluation criteria for selecting the best option for your organization.
Download now! »
Learn the strategies, actions, and capabilities that Best-in-Class organizations employ and technologies they choose to obtain superior performance against various security performance metrics. This report provides guidelines for identifying which security solutions to consume as a MSS and defines best practices for choosing and managing MSSPs.
Download now! »
1 Recommendation
