CVE-2015-0331 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability 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-2015-0313, CVE-2015-0315, CVE-2015-0320, and CVE-2015-0322.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2015-0331 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player affecting multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacts Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.269 for Windows and OS X, versions before 16.0.0.305 for Windows and OS X, and versions before 11.2.202.442 for Linux. The flaw enables remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing environments where Flash content is commonly encountered. The vulnerability operates independently from other related issues such as CVE-2015-0313, CVE-2015-0315, CVE-2015-0320, and CVE-2015-0322, indicating a distinct code path that requires separate remediation efforts.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. A use-after-free condition occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed or deallocated, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the freed memory to execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software development. The flaw typically manifests when Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or interactive elements that trigger improper memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to that freed memory space. Attackers exploit this by crafting malicious Flash content that, when loaded in a vulnerable browser, causes the application to free memory and then subsequently execute code from that freed memory location.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0331 extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass significant security risks in enterprise and consumer environments. Given that Flash Player was widely deployed across Windows and OS X systems, this vulnerability created a substantial attack surface for threat actors targeting organizations and individual users. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges across different platforms increases the potential attack surface, making it particularly challenging to remediate comprehensively. Security researchers have noted that the attack vectors often involve drive-by downloads through compromised websites or malicious email attachments containing specially crafted Flash content. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to gain full system control, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and further lateral movement within networks. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0331 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Flash Player installations to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 13.0.0.269, 16.0.0.305, and 11.2.202.442 depending on the operating system. Beyond patching, implementing browser security controls such as disabling Flash content execution in web browsers provides additional defense layers. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Flash content. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Flash-related memory access patterns and unusual network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventories and implementing robust patch management processes, as the timeframe between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation demonstrates the critical nature of timely security updates. Organizations should also consider the broader implications of Flash Player deprecation, as Adobe officially ended support for Flash Player in 2020, making legacy systems increasingly vulnerable to such historical exploits.