CVE-2015-0327 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-2015-0323.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2022
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0327 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Flash Player affecting multiple version ranges across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within Flash Player's runtime environment, creating a condition where attackers can manipulate heap memory allocation patterns to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw exists in versions prior to 13.0.0.269 for Flash Player 13.x and 14.x through 16.x for Flash Player 16.x on Windows and OS X platforms, as well as before 11.2.202.442 on Linux systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary code execution, making it a prime target for exploit development and cyber attacks.
The technical nature of this heap-based buffer overflow stems from improper bounds checking within Flash Player's handling of memory allocations. When processing certain data structures or media content, the application fails to validate the size of data being copied or moved into heap-allocated memory regions. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. The vulnerability operates at the heap memory level rather than stack memory, making it more complex to detect and exploit compared to traditional stack-based buffer overflows. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces within Flash Player's codebase could potentially trigger this condition, including media processing, network data handling, or object manipulation functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0327 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as the arbitrary code execution capability enables attackers to fully compromise affected systems. Once successfully exploited, adversaries can execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which typically runs with the same privileges as the user who initiated the browser session. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Flash Player is widely deployed, as it can serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks including lateral movement, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Flash Player versions and operating systems makes it a significant threat vector that requires immediate remediation. Organizations utilizing Flash Player for web content delivery face heightened risk due to the widespread nature of this vulnerability and its potential for automated exploitation through web-based attack vectors.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-0327 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and application of Adobe's security updates. Organizations should prioritize updating Flash Player installations to versions 13.0.0.269, 16.0.0.305, or 11.2.202.442 respectively, depending on their operating system and version requirements. Beyond patching, system administrators should implement additional protective measures including browser sandboxing, network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow weakness category and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including execution through compromised applications, privilege escalation, and persistent threat tactics. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious Flash content, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts. Given the historical prevalence of Flash Player vulnerabilities, organizations should also consider transitioning away from Flash-based content entirely in favor of modern web standards that provide better security guarantees and reduced attack surface areas.