CVE-2015-3134 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.302 and 14.x through 18.x before 18.0.0.203 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.481 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 18.0.0.180, Adobe AIR SDK before 18.0.0.180, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 18.0.0.180 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3117, CVE-2015-3123, CVE-2015-3130, CVE-2015-3133, and CVE-2015-4431.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 13.0.0.302 and 14.x through 18.x before 18.0.0.203 on Windows and OS X, along with affected versions on Linux, and Adobe AIR before 18.0.0.180 and related SDK versions, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability represented a distinct threat vector from several other recently disclosed Flash Player flaws, including CVE-2015-3117, CVE-2015-3123, CVE-2015-3130, CVE-2015-3133, and CVE-2015-4431, indicating that attackers could exploit different code paths to achieve similar malicious outcomes. The memory corruption issue stemmed from improper handling of certain data structures during Flash Player's processing of multimedia content, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in memory corruption exploits. The attack surface was particularly concerning given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and user systems, making it a prime target for sophisticated adversaries seeking persistent access to networks. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurred through malicious web content that would trigger the memory corruption when Flash Player attempted to render the crafted media elements, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security boundaries and execute malicious payloads directly on compromised systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3134 extended beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially achieve privilege escalation, establish command and control channels, and maintain long-term presence within target networks. The memory corruption nature of the flaw meant that exploitation was often reliable and could be automated, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited security monitoring capabilities. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability was frequently exploited in the wild through drive-by download campaigns, where users would inadvertently encounter malicious Flash content while browsing compromised websites. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability mapped closely to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and control using Flash Player, and T1070.004 for indicator removal through file deletion. Organizations deploying these vulnerable versions of Flash Player and AIR were particularly at risk because the software was commonly enabled by default in web browsers and operating systems, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Flash Player versions and operating systems indicated a fundamental flaw in the software's memory management and input validation mechanisms, suggesting that attackers could potentially develop multiple exploitation techniques targeting different system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3134 required immediate patching of all affected Flash Player and AIR installations across enterprise networks, with particular attention to legacy systems that might not receive automatic updates. Security administrators should have implemented network-based controls to block Flash content delivery, particularly for web applications that did not require Flash functionality, as this approach could significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventories and implementing robust patch management processes, as the affected versions had been released months prior to the vulnerability disclosure, leaving organizations with ample time to remediate the issue. Organizations should have considered disabling Flash Player entirely in browser configurations, as many web applications had migrated away from Flash-based technologies, making the software largely unnecessary for normal operations. Incident response teams needed to monitor for signs of exploitation, including unusual network connections, memory dumps, and process execution patterns consistent with Flash Player exploitation. The remediation process required careful testing of patched versions to ensure compatibility with existing applications and workflows, as Flash Player updates sometimes introduced regressions that could impact legitimate business operations. Additionally, organizations should have reviewed their security policies to ensure that Flash Player was only enabled in controlled environments where the risk could be properly managed, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 and ISO 27001 standards for software security management.