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Security => Security Alerts & Briefings => Topic started by: Corrine on July 08, 2015, 03:06:19 PM

Title: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: Corrine on July 08, 2015, 03:06:19 PM
Adobe has released Version 18.0.0.203 of Adobe Flash Player for Windows and Macintosh and Version 18.0.0.180 of Adobe AIR.  Version information for Linux and the Extended Release is available below.

This update addresses critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.  Because an exploit targeting CVE-2015-5119 has been published publicly, updating to the latest version as soon as possible is advised.

Direct download links for Windows 7 and below:

    Non-IE Plugin (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_18_plugin.exe
    Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_18_active_x.exe


Security Bulletin (https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb15-16.html)

Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: plodr on July 08, 2015, 10:34:29 PM
QuoteThe current  version of Adobe AIR is 18.0.0.180
My version of AIR is 18.0.0.144 and was installed on 9 June 2015.
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: ky331 on July 08, 2015, 10:37:40 PM
AIR 18.0.0.180 is the version released today (8 July 2015)
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: Corrine on July 08, 2015, 10:48:07 PM
I forgot to update the AIR version in the first paragraph but did have it correct in the list. 
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: plodr on July 08, 2015, 11:11:20 PM
Sorry, I didn't see it!

I'll look with both eyes open, I hope, the next time! Fortunately, I only have AIR on one computer - the one I'm currently on. All the others have been patched for flash and turned off.
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: satrow on July 14, 2015, 02:02:28 PM
Newly patched versions are up: https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

Flash Player 18.0.0.209 (Win and Mac)

Flash Player 11.2.202.481 (Linux)

Extended Support Release - Flash Player 13.0.0.305 (Win and Mac)
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: DR M on July 14, 2015, 02:33:15 PM
But why every few days there is an update??? I know, that every update comes to close a security hole, but why so often??? Is there an alternative to this Flash Player? Shouldn't there was one at least???
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: ky331 on July 14, 2015, 02:42:48 PM
The sheer prevalence of Flash on so many computers... whether people are still using it or not... makes it the ideal target for hackers who wish to inflict the most widespread damage with the minimal effort of recoding their exploits for different products/systems.

Many sites that used to rely heavily on Flash --- videos such as YouTube --- are now using HTML5 instead.   So we are indeed seeing an exodus from Flash's nearly-universal usage.

=======================================

Facebook's new Chief Security Officer, Alex Stamos, boldly asserted "It is time for Adobe to announce the end-of-life date for Flash and to ask the browsers to set killbits on the same day."

On one hand, for Facebook to tell Adobe – a big, reputable, and successful player in the IT marketplace, just like Facebook itself – to put one of its products to the sword smacks of arrogance.

On the other hand, it might be just the encouragement, or even endorsement, that Adobe needs to let go of Flash to concentrate on more forward-looking things.



https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2015/07/14/facebooks-new-cso-comes-out-swinging-death-to-flash/


Title: Adobe Flash Player Critical Security Update (APSB15-18)
Post by: Corrine on July 14, 2015, 03:05:03 PM
@plodr:  Users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to Adobe Flash Player 13.0.0.305. Note: Beginning August 11, 2015, Adobe will update the version of the "Extended Support Release" from Flash Player 13 to Flash Player 18 for Macintosh and Windows.

@Panos:  The earlier update and the update today stem from zero-day vulnerabilities found in the leaked documents from the Hacking Team, a controversial Italian company that sells surveillance software and exploits to governments.  A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw that has not been patched and malware writers have put into play soi people are being infected.

The direct download links:

Non-IE Plugin (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_18_plugin.exe
Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_18_active_x.exe

Security Bulletin (https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb15-18.html)
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: DR M on July 14, 2015, 03:18:12 PM
In Windows 10, Flash is going to be updated automatically, as in Windows 8?
Title: Adobe Flash Player Critical Security Update (APSB15-18)
Post by: Corrine on July 14, 2015, 03:42:25 PM
Yes, Panos.  In fact, Windows Update will be automatic for Windows 10 unless upgrading or purchasing Windows 10 Pro, in which the updates can be deferred but must be installed within (if I recall correctly) 4 months or no further updates will be available until the previous updates are applied.
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: plodr on July 14, 2015, 07:36:36 PM
Just to clarify, flash is only updated for Internet Explorer in Windows 8 and newer.
If you use another browser besides chrome, you will need to download and install the flash plugin for it.
Title: Re: Another Out-of-Band Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player & AIR
Post by: DR M on July 14, 2015, 08:21:00 PM
Quote from: plodr on July 14, 2015, 07:36:36 PM
Just to clarify, flash is only updated for Internet Explorer in Windows 8 and newer.
If you use another browser besides chrome, you will need to download and install the flash plugin for it.

I didn't knew that! So, I have to update Flash in my nephew's computer! I never updated it for Pale Moon, from the day he purchased it! Thank you!