New Zero-Day Flash Bug Affects Windows, OS X, and Linux Computers 178
An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at the Kaspersky Lab have uncovered a zero-day Adobe Flash vulnerability that affects Windows, OS X, and Linux. 'While the exploit Kaspersky observed attacked only computers running Microsoft Windows, the underlying flaw, which is formally categorized as CVE-2014-1776 and resides in a Flash component known as the Pixel Bender, is present in the Adobe application built for OS X and Linux machines as well.' Adobe has reportedly patched the bug for all platforms. Researchers first detected the bug from attacks performed on seven Syrian computers. The attacks seem to have been hosted on the Syrian Ministry of Justice website, which has led to speculation that these are state-sponsored vulnerability exploits. This speculation is further supported by evidence that one of the exploits was 'designed to target computers that have the Cisco Systems MeetingPlace Express Add-In version 5x0 installed. The app is used to view documents and images during Web conferences.'"
I have it disabled. (Score:5, Interesting)
I deliberately do not install Flash on my computers _and_ I deliberately choose to not install any of the third-party work-alikes.
If the content owner only publishes content in a SWF, it is not worth my bother to look at it. Okay, I can't view video clips in Facebook, but if it is an embedded youtube video, usually I can view it just fine by going to youtube's website.
Re:Long story short (Score:4, Interesting)
Right. And the only reason that the "desktop class" A7 isn't running Flash is because it's a threat to Apple's business model.
Actually it was considered a massive security hole. This article seems to validate that opinion. Yeah, I know, there was ample evidence for that opinion back in the day too.
Uninstall Flash! (Score:5, Interesting)
I just reinstalled my OS a few weeks ago and never reinstalled flash. Despite a profuse amount of websurfing and watching videos here and there, I haven't needed flash yet.
Fewer annoying, moving, sound-producing site navigation controls, better battery life on my laptop when watching videos, and fewer horrible security vulnerabilities to worry about! Dumping Flash is something I should have done long ago!
Re:Cookie Clicker (Score:4, Interesting)
What sort of monster links people to Cookie Clicker without so much as a warning!
[I have 2M HC's.]