CVE-2015-5547 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-2015-5544, CVE-2015-5545, CVE-2015-5546, CVE-2015-5548, CVE-2015-5549, CVE-2015-5552, and CVE-2015-5553.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR versions prior to the specified patches contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability exists in the way these applications handle certain data structures during processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application. The flaw affects Windows and macOS systems running Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.232 and Linux systems running Flash Player before 11.2.202.508, as well as all affected Adobe AIR versions and SDKs before 18.0.0.199. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from other related issues in the same advisory, indicating a distinct code path that was not addressed by previous patches.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common memory corruption patterns found in runtime environments like Flash Player, where improper bounds checking and unsafe memory operations create exploitable conditions. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially malformed content that when processed by the vulnerable software triggers memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the scope of CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. These weaknesses enable attackers to manipulate program flow and execute malicious payloads, particularly when the vulnerable software processes untrusted input from web content or local files.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5547 extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass significant security risks for enterprise environments and individual users. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player and AIR applications face potential compromise of endpoints, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with full system access or enable them to deliver additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software components makes it particularly dangerous, as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites. This makes it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and other automated exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability affects not only end-user systems but also development environments where Adobe AIR SDKs are used, potentially compromising the security of applications built with these tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5547 primarily involve immediate patching of all affected Adobe products to the latest versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running vulnerable Flash Player or AIR components are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, implementing network-based controls to block Flash content, and monitoring for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Flash-based content to trusted sources only. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for exploitation through the attack chain documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches to protect against this class of memory corruption vulnerabilities.