Critical flaw found in Macromedia Flash Player

[Mooncalf]

Press release

Macromedia warned Monday of what it called a critical security flaw in the latest version of its Flash animation player and advised users to install a new version that it released on the Web to fix the problem.

The security flaw affects version 6 of the Macromedia Flash Player, which was released a year ago this month and has been installed on an estimated 75 percent of personal computers worldwide, according to the company.

The vulnerability affects the integrity of the player's "sandbox," which is supposed to act as a cordoned-off area where Flash code retrieved from the Web can be run safely, without access to a user's files. The flaw could allow a malicious hacker to run native code on a user's computer, outside the sandbox, possibly without the user's knowledge, according to information on the company's Web site.

Flash download page (leads directly to download the latest version or to verify your current version if it is already installed)

Macromedia Flash Player Download Center (the general latest version link.. click 'Install Now' to reach the above link)

Latest Macromedia Flash Player version is 6.0.79.0

Flash Player version detector

Thanks rh71 for the link

 

[ThePresence]

Yikes!

 

[Aves]

Just updated, thanks.

 

[optoman]

Thanks, this needs a sticky.

 

[rh71]

Ok, the fixed version is build 79. You can check your current version here: http://www.rh71.com/projects/versiondetect/versiondetect.html (no, it doesn't try to exploit the flaw )

BTW, I think you should link http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflash/ instead of the page that automatically installs the patch (kind of unnerving). Thanks for the heads-up though.

 

[bacillus]

thanks for that!

 

[VBboy]

Its critical flaw is that POS Ad-banner player even exists. It must be used 1% for the right reasons, and 99% for those annoying flashing animated ads.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: VBboy
Its critical flaw is that POS Ad-banner player even exists. It must be used 1% for the right reasons, and 99% for those annoying flashing animated ads.

Uh.. maybe if you view 0.00000001% of dynamic web content..

 

[Mooncalf]

Originally posted by: rh71
Ok, the fixed version is build 79. You can check your current version here: http://www.rh71.com/projects/versiondetect/versiondetect.html (no, it doesn't try to exploit the flaw )

BTW, I think you should link http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflash/ instead of the page that automatically installs the patch (kind of unnerving). Thanks for the heads-up though.

Added the general link and explained both.

 

[BigSmooth]

Thanks for posting this, Mooncalf.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: VBboy
Its critical flaw is that POS Ad-banner player even exists. It must be used 1% for the right reasons, and 99% for those annoying flashing animated ads.

LOL, 1%. You need to open your eyes more. Visit some Flash forums and see if you can still say that about what's out there.

Tell email to go away too, why don't you? People find ways to use technology in both good and bad ways (email spam kinda comes to mind). Accept it or stay far far away.

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Thanks.

 

[SoylentGreen]

Dayam! Had to restart after completion.
Thanks for NFO

 

[Alternex]

This is a nice way to get everyone to upgrade to their latest player version.

 

[rh71]

I did notice it DIDN'T require a reboot on my WIN2k machine, but did on XP...

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: rh71
I did notice it DIDN'T require a reboot on my WIN2k machine, but did on XP...

I had to reboot on my win2k machine

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: bigsmooth
Thanks for posting this, Mooncalf.

 

[DoNotDisturb]

gg i updated.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Kyteland

Originally posted by: rh71
I did notice it DIDN'T require a reboot on my WIN2k machine, but did on XP...

I had to reboot on my win2k machine

I did NOT have to reboot XP.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: VBboy
Its critical flaw is that POS Ad-banner player even exists. It must be used 1% for the right reasons, and 99% for those annoying flashing animated ads.

Agreed, I hate flash.

Good thing I don't have the player installed
No howling ads and no security hole, two birds in one stone

 

[Spooner]

thank you!

 

[Yomicron]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Kyteland

Originally posted by: rh71
I did notice it DIDN'T require a reboot on my WIN2k machine, but did on XP...

I had to reboot on my win2k machine

I did NOT have to reboot XP.

in XP I had to restart when I upgraded IE, but no restart was required when I updated Mozilla and Opera.

 

[jaeger66]

No Flash here ieither. I guess I'm missing out on all those unfunny cartoons and ads that set new standards for annoyance. Damn.

 

[Murpheeee]

is this issue with PC only or Mac too?

 

[ATLien247]

Is there a file that you can download for this update?