Adobe recently released Flash Player updates that fix critical security vulnerabilities.
This apparently affects all versions of players, and also the Shockwave Player, it’s a good idea to update your players now if you haven’t already done so.
If you have Flash MX 2004 or Flash 8 installed, you can download updates for them at Flash Player Support Center, which will also update the browser plug-ins.
If you have version 6 or 5 player installed, you are out of luck, no update for them available, you’ll have to upgrade, or disable Flash.
Also additional version checking was introduced with these new versions (8.0.24 and 7.0.63). Because older players don’t know about this new version checking, Flash player is now locked and you can’t simply change the player OCX name, delete it or register another player; you’ll need to run uninstfl.exe first. (This only matters if you do plug-in switching for testing purposes).
As Mario Klingemann posted, this may affect version 8 player penetration rate in a good way.
Bottomline is that security vulnerabilities, even critical ones, are bound to be found in any software. Prompt fix from Adobe is great and you should promptly apply the update.
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do you really believe that this will
affect version 8 player penetration rate in a good way? when thinking of endusers i think unless there’s an windows-update by microsoft which ships the latest plugin i don’t see how they should even be aware of the risks.
Hi Michael,
Frankly, I don’t know, there’s a chance though. If anti-flash guys make this a big story, in the end it may be good for all…
I think MS should also act, as (1) this affects too many users, and (2) they have bundled Flash with their software.
I always hope for the best.
Best regards,
Burak
Actually the press release I read about it said that Microsoft found it and was putting out a security warning on it.
I must say, I really feel uneasy about this. Part of Flash’s success has been its trust factor. A lot of people dont update their XP systems because like it or not, it introduces just as many bugs as it fixes.
If this marks the beginning of weekly security updates on the Flash Player, its not going to be good.
I don’t think it really matters who discovered the vulnerability.
I agree, weekly security updates won’t be good at all. On the other hand, knowing a vulnerability and not fixing it is the worst that can be. Another update may appear next week, or none till v8.5 release – nobody can know…
Best regards,
Burak
After I installed this update, my web browser flash player updated and my OS player reverted to ver. 7. This is frustrating.
Hi,
If you mean the Standalone Player, last run standalone player associates itself with SWF files (at least on Windows, I don’t know about Macs).
Running the standalone player of your choice at players folder under Flash installation can fix this quickly.
I also updated Flash MX 2004 and Flash 8 on my XP system (I have Flash versions 3 to 8, all installed) and experienced no problems.
All the best,
Burak
2006, May 9:
Microsoft is now distributing version 6.0.84 player on Windows Update.
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