CVE-2014-9163: Adobe Flash Player stack-based buffer overflow allows 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.

high priorityThe flaw allows arbitrary code execution, is confirmed exploited in the wild and is listed in CISA KEV, but it requires user interaction and affects an end-of-life product, so the practical priority is high rather than critical.

What it is

Adobe Flash Player contains a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. The flaw affects Flash Player before 13.0.0.259 and 14.x/15.x before 15.0.0.246 on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.425 on Linux. Adobe reported it was exploited in the wild in December 2014, making it a real-world threat rather than a theoretical one.

Impact

An attacker who triggers the overflow can execute arbitrary code in the context of the Flash Player process, giving full control of confidentiality, integrity and availability on the victim host. Because Flash ran inside browsers, this could lead to drive-by compromise of the user's system.

Attack surface

The CVSS vector is local with user interaction required (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R), meaning the victim must open or render attacker-controlled Flash content, typically a malicious SWF in a browser or document. No authentication is needed; the attack depends on convincing the user to load the crafted content.

Exploitation

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-04-13, confirming in-the-wild exploitation, and the NVD description states it was exploited in the wild in December 2014. EPSS gives a 30-day probability of 0.20356 (97.35th percentile), indicating elevated likelihood relative to other CVEs.

What to do

• Patch or remove Flash Player: upgrade to 13.0.0.259 or later, 15.0.0.246 or later on Windows/OS X, or 11.2.202.425 or later on Linux; since Flash is end-of-life, uninstall it where possible.
• Follow CISA KEV guidance and disconnect any system still running end-of-life Flash Player from the network.
• Block or disable Flash content in browsers and email clients, and prevent SWF files from launching outside a controlled viewer.
• Restrict user ability to open untrusted SWF or Flash-embedded documents, and apply least privilege to accounts that still need Flash.
• Monitor vendor advisories (apsb14-27) for any residual guidance and verify no legacy Flash-dependent applications remain exposed.

Detection

• Hunt for Flash Player versions below 13.0.0.259, 15.0.0.246 or 11.2.202.425 on Windows, OS X and Linux endpoints.
• Monitor for browser or plugin processes loading SWF content from untrusted or unusual sources, especially followed by child process creation.
• Alert on crashes or memory-corruption indicators in Flash Player processes, which can precede or accompany exploitation attempts.
• Review proxy and endpoint logs for known Flash exploit delivery patterns and for SWF downloads from low-reputation hosts.

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