CVE-2014-0497

Published: Feb 5, 2014Updated: Apr 21, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVDCWE-191

9.8CRITICAL

NVD MITRE

Description

Integer underflow in Adobe Flash Player before 11.7.700.261 and 11.8.x through 12.0.x before 12.0.0.44 on Windows and Mac OS X, and before 11.2.202.336 on Linux, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.

In plain language

AI Act now

CVE-2014-0497 is a critical Flash Player bug that lets remote attackers run code without needing a click—so if you still have vulnerable Flash Player installed and running, you should act immediately.

Executive summary

CVE-2014-0497 is an unauthenticated remote code execution issue in Adobe Flash Player caused by an integer underflow (CWE-191) in affected versions; it is listed in the CISA KEV and has known public exploits.

If affected, business impact

Full compromise of your computerMalware installation and persistenceService disruptionTheft of sensitive data

What to do now

Check whether Adobe Flash Player is installed and currently being used on any business PCs or servers (including via web browsers like Google Chrome).
If any machines have vulnerable Flash Player versions, stop using them and plan an urgent upgrade to the fixed versions: Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.336 (Linux) and the vendor’s fixed updates for Windows/macOS.
For systems using Google Chrome, update Chrome to at least 32.0.1700.107.
If you can’t upgrade immediately, remove/disable Adobe Flash Player and block Flash content in browsers until you can apply the fixes.
Verify the update took effect on each device and repeat the check after any browser or software updates.

Patch / advisory Usually a quick update

What is it

This is a bug in Adobe Flash Player that can be abused by an attacker over the network to make a computer run their code. Think of Flash Player like an old “doorway” browser feature: if the doorway has a weakness, a bad website can push the computer into doing something unsafe—even if nobody clicks.

Who is affected

This matters to you if your business computers run Adobe Flash Player (directly or through web browsing), including where Google Chrome is used for older Flash content. The risk is highest when a vulnerable Flash Player version is installed and active, because attackers can reach and trigger the problem over the network without needing logins or user interaction.

How urgent is it

This is a RED issue because it is confirmed in the CISA KEV program and has known public exploits, meaning real attackers can use it. The fix needs to be applied (or Flash removed/disabled) as a priority rather than waiting for routine maintenance.

What to do — in detail

Confirm exposure

On each business device, check whether Adobe Flash Player is installed and whether it’s enabled/used (including inside browsers that may load Flash content).
Record the Flash Player version and the browser version (for Chrome, check the exact build).

Remediate to fixed versions

Adobe Flash Player (Linux): upgrade so Flash Player is fixed in 11.2.202.336.
Adobe Flash Player (Windows/macOS): upgrade to the vendor-provided fixed updates referenced by Adobe’s APSB14-04 security bulletin.
Google Chrome: upgrade to at least 32.0.1700.107.

If patching is delayed

Remove or disable Adobe Flash Player immediately (and block Flash content) until upgrades are complete, since the precondition is “Flash Player installed and vulnerable version running.”

Timing

CISA KEV due date was 2024-10-08; treat any remaining vulnerable systems as overdue remediation.

What to monitor

After updates, re-check that the vulnerable Flash Player version is no longer present and that Chrome is updated.
Watch for reinstallation of Flash Player via user actions or software bundling, and prevent Flash re-enablement where possible.

Technical context

Severity is effectively critical: CVSS is 9.8 and the capability is remote execution of arbitrary code with no authentication and no user interaction. The underlying weakness is an integer underflow (CWE-191) in Adobe Flash Player, which can be triggered by remote attackers via network-reachable inputs when a vulnerable Flash Player version is running. This CVE is listed in CISA KEV (added 2024-09-17) with a required remediation due date of 2024-10-08, and there is at least one public exploit available, indicating exploit maturity beyond proof-of-concept. Press attention is noted as sustained, and the predicted likelihood is extremely high; however, the KEV status and public exploitation are the stronger drivers for urgent action. “KEV” here means CISA has identified it as a real-world, actively relevant vulnerability requiring mitigation.

This is a general assessment based on public vulnerability data. It does not account for your specific infrastructure — when in doubt, consult a security specialist.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

AV:NAttack Vector

Network

AC:LAttack Complexity

Low

PR:NPrivileges Required

None

UI:NUser Interaction

None

Scope

S:UScope

Unchanged

Impact

C:HConfidentiality

High

I:HIntegrity

High

A:HAvailability

High

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Weaknesses

CWE-191

Affected Products

adobe

commercial·USaka adobe systems inc.

flash playerDesktop App

Consumer Software / media-player

google

commercial·USaka google inc, google llc

chromeOn-premDesktop App

Consumer Software / browser

redhat

commercial·USaka red hat

enterprise linux workstationOn-premOS

Operating Systems / linux-distro

opensuse

oss-project·DE

opensuseOn-premOS

Operating Systems / linux-distro

suse

commercial·DE

linux enterprise desktopOn-premOS

Operating Systems / linux-distro

and 5 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Added to KEV:Sep 17, 2024

Remediation due:Oct 8, 2024

Required action: The impacted product is end-of-life (EoL) and/or end-of-service (EoS). Users should discontinue utilization of the product.

1 exploit source identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details

Official Patch Available

Is your org exposed to CVE-2014-0497?Request an assessment to establish which checks are appropriate for your systems. Check my exposure

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique

Initial Access

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References

http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/2014/02/stable-channel-update.html

googlechromereleases.blogspot.com

http://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb14-04.html

helpx.adobe.com

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-02/msg00000.html

lists.opensuse.org

and 14 more references View all →

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