CVE-2014-0502: Adobe Flash Player Double Free Enables Remote Code Execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 17 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityThe flaw allows remote code execution, was exploited in the wild, and is listed in CISA KEV, while the affected products are end-of-life with no supported patch path.

What it is

Adobe Flash Player, Adobe AIR, and the AIR SDK contain a double free vulnerability (CWE-415) that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The flaw was exploited in the wild in February 2014, and the affected products are now end-of-life, so no vendor-supported fix path remains.

Impact

A successful exploit gives the attacker arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected process, which can lead to full system compromise. The CVSS 3.1 vector shows high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Attack surface

The vulnerability is network-reachable (AV:N) with low attack complexity and no privileges required, but it requires user interaction (UI:R), typically by opening a crafted file or visiting a malicious page that loads Flash content. No authentication is needed.

Exploitation

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-09-17, and the description states it was exploited in the wild in February 2014. EPSS gives a 30-day exploitation probability of 0.24204 (97.7th percentile), and references include exploit-tagged write-ups.

What to do

• Discontinue use of Adobe Flash Player, Adobe AIR, and the AIR SDK, as CISA's required action states these products are end-of-life and should no longer be used.
• Remove or disable Flash Player and AIR components from all endpoints and browsers where they remain installed.
• Block Flash content and .swf file execution at the browser, email gateway, and web proxy layers.
• Apply any remaining vendor or distribution patches for legacy systems that cannot immediately remove Flash, then prioritize removal.
• Hunt for and remove any residual Flash-based business applications or embedded content that still depend on the affected runtime.

Detection

• Search endpoint and application logs for Flash Player or AIR process execution, especially from browser or email clients.
• Monitor for .swf file downloads and for processes loading Flash Player libraries outside expected update activity.
• Use the Volatility Labs decoder referenced in the advisory to inspect memory for CVE-2014-0502 exploitation artifacts.
• Alert on network requests to known malicious Flash exploit delivery domains or on anomalous child processes spawned by browsers.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.