CVE-2015-3100 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.292 and 14.x through 18.x before 18.0.0.160 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.466 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 18.0.0.144 on Windows and before 18.0.0.143 on OS X and Android, Adobe AIR SDK before 18.0.0.144 on Windows and before 18.0.0.143 on OS X, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 18.0.0.144 on Windows and before 18.0.0.143 on OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR platforms that affects multiple operating systems and versions. The flaw exists in the memory management handling of these applications, specifically within the runtime environment that processes multimedia content and interactive applications. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate memory allocation patterns through crafted input vectors, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web browsers or other applications that embed Flash content, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the Flash Player or AIR runtime processes malformed data structures that exceed the allocated stack buffer boundaries. Attackers can craft malicious SWF files or web content that triggers the overflow condition, causing the program to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code into the victim's system. The vulnerability affects both the standalone Flash Player and the AIR runtime environments, which means the attack surface extends beyond web browsers to include desktop applications that utilize Adobe's runtime technology. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for privilege escalation and remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe across multiple attack vectors and platforms. The widespread adoption of Adobe Flash Player across Windows and macOS systems created an enormous attack surface for threat actors. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to gain full control of affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects not only end-user systems but also enterprise environments where Flash Player is commonly used for business applications and training materials. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that attackers could target users across different operating systems with a single exploit payload. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059 for command and script interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a versatile tool in the hands of sophisticated attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems receive updates promptly, particularly given that this vulnerability affects multiple versions across different platforms. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional layers of protection by blocking known malicious Flash content. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Flash-related network traffic and file downloads that may indicate exploitation attempts. System hardening measures including disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and reducing user privileges can further limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Given the nature of stack-based buffer overflows, runtime protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization should be enabled where possible, though these protections may not be sufficient against advanced exploitation techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure.