CVE-2015-5544 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5545, CVE-2015-5546, CVE-2015-5547, CVE-2015-5548, CVE-2015-5549, CVE-2015-5552, and CVE-2015-5553.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.232 on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.508 on Linux, along with Adobe AIR versions before 18.0.0.199 and corresponding SDK versions, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability represents a sophisticated heap-based memory corruption flaw that could be triggered through malformed input processing within the Flash Player runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation operations, creating conditions where attackers could manipulate memory pointers or overwrite critical data structures. Such memory corruption issues typically arise from buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or double-free errors that allow malicious actors to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on affected systems. The attack vector involves delivering malicious Flash content through web browsers or other applications that utilize Flash Player components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Flash remains widely deployed.
The technical nature of 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 manifestations of memory corruption flaws in software applications. The vulnerability's classification under the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database indicates its severity and the need for immediate remediation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to organizations relying on Flash-based applications, as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting compromised websites. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the widespread deployment of Flash Player across multiple platforms and the ease with which malicious content can be distributed through web-based attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of Flash for execution, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations that continue to support Flash-based applications face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where patch management processes are delayed or incomplete. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions and platforms underscores the importance of comprehensive patch management strategies and the need for organizations to transition away from Flash-based technologies. Security professionals should implement network-based detection measures and monitor for exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web browsers, email attachments, and malicious websites. The remediation process requires immediate deployment of patched versions of Flash Player and AIR components, along with comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, implementation of network segmentation to limit Flash content delivery, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict Flash Player execution to trusted environments only. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for targeted attacks, as attackers can craft specific payloads that exploit the memory corruption conditions to achieve their objectives. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented mitigations and identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist within Flash-based environments. Given the complexity of Flash Player's architecture and the interconnected nature of its components, comprehensive testing should be performed to ensure that patch deployments do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications that depend on Flash functionality. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and the risks associated with supporting legacy technologies in modern security environments.