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Out of Band Critical Adobe Flash Player and AIR Update

Out of Band Critical Adobe Flash Player and AIR Update

Adobe has released Version 18.0.0.203 of Adobe Flash Player for Windows and Macintosh and Version 18.0.0.180 of Adobe AIR.  Version information for Linux and the Extended Release is available below.

This update addresses critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.  Because an exploit targeting CVE-2015-5119 has been published publicly, updating to the latest version as soon as possible is advised.

Details of the vulnerabilities are included in the below-referenced Security Bulletin.  At the time of this posting, the Release Notes have not yet been released but will be available later in the reference below.

• Users of the Adobe Flash Player desktop runtime for Windows and Macintosh should update to Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.203.  The current version of Adobe AIR is 18.0.0.180.
• Users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to Adobe Flash Player 13.0.0.302.
• Users of Adobe Flash Player for Linux should update to Adobe Flash Player  11.2.202.481.
• Adobe Flash Player installed with Google Chrome, as well as Internet Explorer on Windows 8.x, will automatically update to the current version.
• The latest version of Adobe AIR for Android is 18.0.0.180 and earlier versions, available by downloading it from the Android Marketplace by browsing to it on a mobile phone.   

Flash Player Update Instructions

It is recommended that you either use the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted or the direct download links.  The problem with the auto-update mechanism is that it can take a few days to finally provide the update and up to a week if using the "Notify me to install updates" setting.

Flash Player Auto-Update

The update settings for Flash Player versions 10.3 and above can found in the Advanced tab of the Flash Player Settings Manager.  The locations are as follows:

• Windows: click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Flash Player
• Macintosh: System Preferences (under Other) click Flash Player
• Linux Gnome: System > Preferences > Adobe Flash Player
• Linux KDE: System Settings > Adobe Flash Player

Also note that the Flash Player Settings Manager is where to manage local settings.

Flash Player Direct Download Links

Warning:  Although Adobe suggests downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, that link includes a pre-checked option to install unnecessary extras, such as McAfee Scan Plus or Google Drive.  If you use the download center, uncheck any unnecessary extras.

• Non-IE Plugin (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_18_plugin.exe
   
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_18_active_x.exe
  
  Internet Explorer, Windows 8 and above: Microsoft updated Security Advisory 2755801.  If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled, the Flash Player update can be downloaded from Microsoft Security Advisory: Update for Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer 10: July 9, 2013.
  
  
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe
• Adobe AIR:  http://get.adobe.com/air/

Notes:

• If you use the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, be careful to uncheck any optional downloads that you do not want.  Any pre-checked option is not needed for the Flash Player update.
• Uncheck any toolbar offered with Adobe products if not wanted.
• If you use alternate browsers, it is necessary to install the update for both Internet Explorer as well as the update for alternate browsers.
• The separate 32-bit and 64-bit uninstallers have been replaced with a single uninstaller.

Verify Installation

To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number installed on your computer, go to the About Flash Player page, or right-click on content running in Flash Player and select "About Adobe Flash Player" from the menu. 

Do this for each browser installed on your computer.

To verify the version of Adobe Flash Player for Android, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Adobe Flash Player x.x.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• AIR Download Center 
• Security Bulletin: Security Bulletin
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 18 AIR® 18

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