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Being asked to update (or manually activate) Flash Player plugin...

  • 18 replies
  • 8 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by CallyCat

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....but it was updated a month ago to the latest version (17.0.0.188)!

What's going on here??

Could it be that the old version 11 is somehow still being detected?

On my Plugins page I only see version 17 with the warning "Shockwave flash is known to be vulnerable..."

....but it was updated a month ago to the latest version (17.0.0.188)! What's going on here?? Could it be that the old version 11 is somehow still being detected? On my Plugins page I only see version 17 with the warning "Shockwave flash is known to be vulnerable..."
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Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.188 was replaced with 18.0.0.194 a few weeks ago as I recall, and now 18.0.0.203 is shown as the current version for Vista and above (on Windows OS's). Looks like we may be entering another "every other week" sequence with Flash updates as we saw back in Dec / Jan.

Here's the latest advisory from Adobe, dated 7/7/2015 . https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa15-03.html

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All Replies (18)

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Actually, they have updated it a couple times since then. You can see the current version and grab a full installer on this page:

https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

Firefox uses the one on the row for "plugin-based browsers"

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For WinXP, you might want use the Extended Support Release - Flash Player 13.0.0.302 on that page as the newer versions provide support for Vista and later Windows OS versions.


If you do decide to go with 13.0.0.302 use the Adobe Flash uninstaller first. Grab the Adobe uninstaller from here: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html

Then download the latest Flash Plugin version from here under Extended Support Release - Flash Player 13.0.0.302 : Select the Windows > Plugin-based browsers - the EXE version. https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

Run the Flash uninstaller program, then reboot your PC. Then install the Plugin version of Flash. So you'll have a clean installation of Flash for Firefox.

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jscher2000 said

Actually, they have updated it a couple times since then. You can see the current version and grab a full installer on this page: https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html Firefox uses the one on the row for "plugin-based browsers"


Thanks, but you are suggesting that a version that was good enough last week, is "outdated" and SO vulnerable today as to be BLOCKED by FF??

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I haven't tried to dig up the reasons 17.0.0.188 was blocked. Presumably some new information came to light indicating that it is risky to run.

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Thank you both.

I uninstalled v 17 and installed v 13. Curious to see if this version might be less of a drain on resources.

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https://helpx.adobe.com/security.html

Mozilla blocks versions of Plugins and Extensions when they are of serious security, malware or stability concerns. Unfortunately there has been many proven exploits in Flash player plugin since December as Mozilla did not block any Flash versions for a long while before. The Flash player (malware) mentions were extensions pretending to be Flash. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/blocked/

Modified by James

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Chosen Solution

Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.188 was replaced with 18.0.0.194 a few weeks ago as I recall, and now 18.0.0.203 is shown as the current version for Vista and above (on Windows OS's). Looks like we may be entering another "every other week" sequence with Flash updates as we saw back in Dec / Jan.

Here's the latest advisory from Adobe, dated 7/7/2015 . https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa15-03.html

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I'm having this issue as well on my mac. I have the latest version of flash, yet firefox keeps blocking it. I went to adobe and it will let me download it again, but according to FF tools, I am updated. What's with that?

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Hi CallyCat, when you check the Add-ons page, what version is listed? Either:

  • Cmd+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. On the right, look for "Shockwave Flash" and confirm Firefox is using version 18.0.0.203.

I'm not aware of any further updates. If your Firefox is blocking it, I think that means you will need to approve activation on sites that use Flash until another update becomes available.

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It's 18.0.0.203.

This just started today. So far it's tried to block FB and ebay when I wasn't accessing any videos. I tried youtube and no problem. I don't think I've ever accessed a video on ebay. And even when I tell it twice, it still blocks or crashes on FB.  :-(

I just went to wordpress and the same thing happened. I don't get this at all.

Modified by CallyCat

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Hi CallyCat, not all sites use Flash for playing videos. It also is used for games, for tracking you across sites, and ads. So... just because a site wants to use Flash doesn't mean you have to let it. ;-)

As for crashing on Facebook, perhaps we should start a new question on that.

Are you getting the Mozilla Crash Reporter dialog, or the Windows crash dialog? If you are getting the Mozilla Crash Reporter form, your Firefox may have logged some data that would help track down the cause of the problem. You can submit that data to Mozilla and share it with forum volunteers to see whether it points to the solution. Please check the last section of the support article "Firefox Crashes" for steps to get those crash IDs from the about:crashes page, and then post some of the recent ones in a new question.

You can start a new question at the following link. Scroll down past the suggestions to continue submitting your question: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop/fix-problems

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the-edmeister said on 7/9/15

Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.188 was replaced with 18.0.0.194 a few weeks ago as I recall, and now 18.0.0.203 is shown as the current version for Vista and above (on Windows OS's). Looks like we may be entering another "every other week" sequence with Flash updates as we saw back in Dec / Jan. Here's the latest advisory from Adobe, dated 7/7/2015 . https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa15-03.html

Security Advisory for Adobe Flash Player - Release date: July 10, 2015 https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa15-04.html

Affected software versions

  • Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.203 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh
  • Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.204 and earlier versions for Linux installed with Google Chrome
  • Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release version 13.0.0.302 and earlier 13.x versions for Windows and Macintosh
  • Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release version 11.2.202.481 and earlier 11.x versions for Linux

AFAIK, Adobe hasn't released a newer version that would fix the latest vulnerabilities.

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jscher, thank you for the info. I am not getting a Mozilla crash report or a windows crash or a mac crash. Just that firefox is blocking it.

the-ed, I have the latest version. Am thinking about uninstalling and reinstalling. I remember when I updated, I had trouble with it installing. I had to try several times.

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Hi CallyCat, if Flash works after you activate it, then from what I can see, what is happening to you is temporarily the new normal. No need to reinstall. No benefit.

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Sorry, to finish my thought...

If you are not accustomed to using the "Ask to Activate" feature for a plugin, here's what to expect:

When you visit a site that wants to use the Flash, you should see a notification icon in the address bar and one of the following: a link in a black rectangle in the page or an infobar sliding down between the toolbar area and the page.

If you see a good reason to use Flash, and the site looks trustworthy, you can go ahead and click the Lego-like icon in the address bar to allow Flash.

But the page might be using Flash only for tracking or playing a video ad. If you don't see an immediate need for Flash, feel free to ignore the notification, it will just sit there in case you want it later.

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Thank you for the advice. I will pick and choose where I activate it. Will wait and see what happens & hope that FF and adobe get coordinated. :-)

PS, when I look at the add-ons in tools, it shows its update but is "known to be vulnerable."

Does this have anything to do with the flash like player FF is rolling out?

Modified by CallyCat

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CallyCat said

Does this have anything to do with the flash like player FF is rolling out?

I seriously doubt it! I think it will be many, many months before anyone thinks Shumway can go live in the mainstream version of Firefox. (390 open issues to fix: https://github.com/mozilla/shumway/issues)

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Thanks!