CVE-2015-3087 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.289 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.188 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.460 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 17.0.0.172, Adobe AIR SDK before 17.0.0.172, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 17.0.0.172 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
Adobe Flash Player integer overflow vulnerability CVE-2015-3087 represents a critical security flaw that affected multiple versions of the popular multimedia platform across different operating systems. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during memory allocation operations, creating conditions where attackers could manipulate integer variables to exceed their maximum representable values. The flaw exists in both the standalone Flash Player application and the Adobe AIR runtime environment, making it particularly dangerous as it affects a wide range of applications and systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts Windows and OS X systems running Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.289 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.188, as well as Linux systems with Flash Player versions before 11.2.202.460. Additionally, Adobe AIR runtime environments before version 17.0.0.172 and corresponding SDK versions were equally vulnerable, indicating the scope of the issue extended beyond just the core Flash Player functionality.
The technical nature of this integer overflow vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. When the Flash Player processes certain malformed input data, the integer overflow occurs during buffer allocation calculations, potentially resulting in heap-based buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious SWF files or web content that triggers the vulnerable code path, manipulating the integer arithmetic to cause unexpected memory behavior. The exploitation typically involves carefully constructed input that, when processed by the Flash Player, causes the integer variables to wrap around to negative values or extremely large numbers, leading to improper memory allocation that can be leveraged for code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers often use such vulnerabilities to execute malicious payloads on compromised systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3087 was substantial given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise networks and consumer environments. Organizations running vulnerable versions faced significant risk of remote code execution attacks, which could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability's presence in both desktop and mobile versions meant that organizations had to implement comprehensive patch management strategies across their entire technology stack. Security teams needed to prioritize this vulnerability due to its potential for zero-day exploitation and the difficulty in detecting such attacks in network traffic. The impact extended beyond individual system compromises to enterprise-wide security incidents, as attackers could use this vulnerability to establish footholds for lateral movement within networks. The long lifespan of Flash Player installations meant that many organizations were running vulnerable versions for extended periods, increasing their exposure window and making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments with delayed patch deployment cycles.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3087 required immediate action from organizations to update their Flash Player installations to the patched versions. The most effective remediation involved deploying the official security patches released by Adobe, which addressed the integer overflow conditions in the memory allocation routines. Organizations should have implemented network segmentation and web filtering to prevent access to potentially malicious Flash content, particularly in high-risk environments. Security monitoring solutions needed to be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits, including unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should have been conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions and ensure proper patch deployment. The remediation process also required coordination between IT operations and security teams to balance the need for immediate patching with business continuity considerations. Additional protective measures included implementing application whitelisting policies, disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, and developing incident response procedures specifically for handling Flash-based exploit incidents. Organizations should have also considered the broader implications for their security infrastructure, as this vulnerability highlighted the risks associated with legacy software components and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components.