CVE-2015-0347 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.281 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.169 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.457 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0350, CVE-2015-0352, CVE-2015-0353, CVE-2015-0354, CVE-2015-0355, CVE-2015-0360, CVE-2015-3038, CVE-2015-3041, CVE-2015-3042, and CVE-2015-3043.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
Adobe Flash Player contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability affected multiple version ranges across different operating systems including Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms. The flaw manifested as improper memory handling during Flash Player processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability was distinct from several other related issues in the same year, indicating a unique code path or memory management flaw within the Flash Player runtime environment. Security researchers identified this as a severe issue due to the potential for arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to take complete control of affected systems. The vulnerability exploited memory corruption patterns that are commonly classified under CWE-119, which deals with memory access violations and buffer overflows. The attack surface was particularly concerning given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise and consumer environments, making it an attractive target for exploit development. The specific nature of the memory corruption allowed for potential exploitation through crafted Flash content delivered via web browsers or other Flash Player enabled applications.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-0347 relied on memory corruption mechanisms that could be triggered through malformed Flash content or manipulated input data processed by the Flash Player runtime. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by constructing malicious SWF files or web content that would cause the Flash Player to access invalid memory locations or corrupt existing memory structures. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple denial of service to include full system compromise, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This particular flaw was categorized under attack techniques that align with the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation categories, where attackers could leverage the vulnerability to establish persistent access or escalate their privileges within the compromised system. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability made it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through various attack vectors including web browsing, email attachments, or any other mechanism that could trigger Flash Player execution. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams across different operating systems demonstrated the widespread nature of the flaw and its potential impact on diverse user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0347 focused primarily on immediate patching of affected Flash Player versions, as Adobe released security updates to address the memory corruption issues. Organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems received the security updates promptly. System administrators should have disabled Flash Player functionality in browsers where possible, particularly in enterprise environments where Flash content was not essential for business operations. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems could help mitigate exploitation attempts by blocking known malicious Flash content. Security monitoring systems needed to be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits, including unusual memory access patterns or process behavior. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should have conducted vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Flash Player versions and prioritized remediation efforts based on risk exposure. The incident underscored the need for regular security assessments and the implementation of automated patch management systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed for extended periods. Security teams needed to develop incident response procedures specifically tailored to address Flash Player vulnerabilities and coordinate with vendors for timely security updates and advisories.