CVE-2015-5134 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.232 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.508 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 18.0.0.199, Adobe AIR SDK before 18.0.0.199, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 18.0.0.199 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5127, CVE-2015-5130, CVE-2015-5539, CVE-2015-5540, CVE-2015-5550, CVE-2015-5551, CVE-2015-5556, CVE-2015-5557, CVE-2015-5559, CVE-2015-5561, CVE-2015-5563, CVE-2015-5564, and CVE-2015-5565.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The CVE-2015-5134 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that existed across multiple platforms and versions. This vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.232 on Windows and OS X systems, and versions prior to 11.2.202.508 on Linux systems, alongside Adobe AIR and its associated SDKs before version 18.0.0.199. The flaw enables remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from several other related vulnerabilities within the same timeframe, including CVE-2015-5127 through CVE-2015-5565. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where program memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating a dangerous state that attackers can exploit to execute malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Flash Player or AIR runtime processes malformed content that triggers a use-after-free condition in memory management. When an application allocates memory for objects and subsequently frees that memory, but continues to reference or use the freed memory location, attackers can manipulate the system to overwrite the freed memory with malicious code. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player or AIR application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass traditional security mechanisms, as the exploitation occurs within the legitimate application runtime environment where security boundaries are typically relaxed. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of scripting languages like JavaScript that Flash Player can execute, and T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5134 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations across various sectors that rely on Flash-based content for web applications, multimedia presentations, and interactive media. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that organizations using Windows, macOS, or Linux systems with affected versions are all at risk. Security researchers noted that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild, making it a high-priority target for immediate remediation. The fact that it was separate from other known vulnerabilities indicates that attackers had developed unique exploitation techniques, suggesting the potential for sophisticated attack campaigns that could target specific organizations or industries.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems, as the vulnerability's exploitation capability makes it extremely dangerous in active threat environments. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating Adobe Flash Player to version 18.0.0.232 or later, Adobe AIR to version 18.0.0.199 or later, and ensuring that all Adobe AIR SDK and Compiler versions are updated accordingly. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and application whitelisting policies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious Flash-related activity, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify any remaining vulnerable systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the risks associated with legacy Flash content, which should be gradually migrated to modern web standards to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also implement security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious Flash content and avoid visiting compromised websites that may exploit this vulnerability.