CVE-2015-0323 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in 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 via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0327.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2022
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0323 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Flash Player that affected multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability resides in the memory management mechanisms of the Flash Player runtime environment, specifically within the heap allocation and buffer handling processes. The flaw manifests when the player processes malformed or specially crafted content that triggers improper memory management during content rendering, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate heap memory structures to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.269 for older releases, versions 14.x through 16.x before 16.0.0.305 for newer releases, and Linux systems before version 11.2.202.442. This particular vulnerability operates independently from CVE-2015-0327, indicating distinct attack vectors and exploitation mechanisms within the Flash Player codebase.
The technical implementation of this heap-based buffer overflow occurs when Flash Player attempts to process multimedia content that contains maliciously constructed data structures. During normal operation, the Flash Player allocates memory on the heap for various multimedia elements, including video frames, audio buffers, and graphical objects. When encountering malformed input data, the player's memory management functions fail to properly validate buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to write data beyond allocated memory regions. This overflow condition can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program structures such as return addresses, function pointers, or other control data. The vulnerability specifically leverages heap memory corruption techniques that align with common software security weaknesses documented in the CWE-121 category, which focuses on heap-based buffer overflow conditions. Attackers can exploit this condition by crafting malicious Flash content that, when loaded by an affected browser or application, triggers the overflow and subsequently executes malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0323 extends significantly beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs through web-based attack vectors where users visit malicious websites or open infected email attachments containing malicious Flash content. Once successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code in the context of the Flash Player process, which often runs with elevated privileges depending on the system configuration. The attack chain frequently involves multiple stages including initial compromise through web browsers, followed by privilege escalation and potential lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and control execution, as well as T1068 for exploit private vulnerabilities. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across various platforms and applications made this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could be exploited across multiple attack surfaces including web browsers, email clients, and desktop applications that embed Flash functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0323 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures to prevent exploitation. Adobe released security updates addressing this vulnerability in versions 13.0.0.269, 16.0.0.305, and 11.2.202.442 across respective platforms, which included memory validation improvements and heap management enhancements. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Flash Player installations across their enterprise environments, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in unpatched systems. Additional mitigations include implementing browser security policies that restrict Flash content execution, disabling Flash Player plugins in web browsers, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of vulnerable Flash Player versions. Network-based defenses such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to detect and block known malicious Flash content patterns, while endpoint protection solutions should include behavioral monitoring to identify anomalous Flash Player activities. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow also necessitates regular security assessments of Flash Player installations and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to the Flash Player runtime environment. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for Flash Player execution to limit the potential impact of successful exploits, as this approach aligns with defensive techniques recommended in both CWE and ATT&CK frameworks for mitigating memory corruption vulnerabilities.