Not again : Adobe Flash has a critical vulnerability, Adobe issues critical patch
Abode Flash is in the news once again due to the vulnerability discovered in the software. Adobe has already patched the problems and made an update available for download to protect users from a slew of exploits, of which one had already been noticed in the wild that could allow an attacker to hijack a user’s system.
The vulnerabilities affect a number of different operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chrome OS. The update includes patches for a variety of problems, five of which Adobe rated as “critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.” In other words, hackers can use the aforementioned errors to break into your computer, take control of it, and even steal your private information.
Therefore, Adobe’s latest update addresses 23 security holes, with the severe ones noted above among them.The security bulletin issued by Adobe advises that all users should update their devices immediately.
Adobe was alerted to the problems with its Flash player by many different security researchers including experts at Google, Microsoft, Kaspersky Labs and Alibaba.
Many security firms now suggest that people uninstall the Flash player to avoid falling victim to malicious attachments or booby-trapped webpages. A lot of web firms have now stopped using Flash in a bid to prevent attackers.
Let’s have a look at Adobe’s notes on how to update each different platform:
- Adobe recommends users of the Adobe Flash Player Desktop Runtime for Windows and Macintosh update to 21.0.0.182 via the update mechanism within the product when prompted, or by visiting the Adobe Flash Player Download Center.
- Adobe recommends users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to version 18.0.0.333 by visiting https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html.
- Adobe recommends users of Adobe Flash Player for Linux update to Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.577 by visiting the Adobe Flash Player Download Center.
- Adobe Flash Player installed with Google Chrome will be automatically updated to the latest Google Chrome version, which will include Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.182 for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Chrome OS.
- Adobe Flash Player installed with Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer for Windows 10 will be automatically updated to the latest version, which will include Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.182.
- Adobe Flash Player installed with Internet Explorer for Windows 8.x will be automatically updated to the latest version, which will include Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.182.
