CVE-2015-0319 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.269 and 14.x through 16.x before 16.0.0.305 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.442 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging an unspecified "type confusion," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0317.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.269 on Windows and OS X and versions 14.x through 16.x before 16.0.0.305 on the same platforms as well as versions before 11.2.202.442 on Linux contained a critical type confusion vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifested as an unspecified type confusion flaw that differed from the related CVE-2015-0317, indicating a distinct class of memory corruption issues within the Flash Player runtime environment. The vulnerability stemmed from improper handling of object types during runtime execution, where the player failed to properly validate or enforce type constraints when processing maliciously crafted Flash content. This type confusion occurred within the ActionScript virtual machine layer of Flash Player, where objects were manipulated in ways that allowed attackers to corrupt memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leveraged the fundamental weakness in type validation mechanisms within Flash Player's memory management system. When processing malformed or malicious SWF files, the player's runtime environment would incorrectly interpret data types, leading to memory corruption that could be exploited to overwrite critical program execution pointers or inject malicious code into the running process. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length parameters, and CWE-128, which addresses wrapping or truncation of integer values. The flaw represented a classic example of a memory safety issue that could be exploited through buffer overflows or pointer corruption techniques, enabling attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was severe across multiple platforms and operating systems, affecting users of Adobe Flash Player on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux systems. Attackers could craft malicious web content or phishing emails containing specially crafted SWF files that would trigger the type confusion when executed by the vulnerable Flash Player versions. The exploit could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because Flash Player was widely installed and often enabled by default in web browsers, making exploitation relatively easy for threat actors. This vulnerability also mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages like ActionScript, and T1068, which covers the exploitation of remote services through type confusion attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of affected Flash Player installations to the latest versions that contained fixes for the type confusion flaw. System administrators should have implemented browser security policies that either disabled Flash Player entirely or restricted its execution to trusted domains only. Network security controls including web application firewalls and content filtering systems could have been configured to block known malicious SWF content. Additionally, users were advised to keep their Flash Player installations updated and to avoid visiting untrusted websites or opening suspicious email attachments. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in software development, particularly for runtime environments that process untrusted input data. Organizations should have implemented comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues in other software components that might be susceptible to comparable type confusion attacks.