CVE-2015-5561 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-2015-5134, CVE-2015-5539, CVE-2015-5540, CVE-2015-5550, CVE-2015-5551, CVE-2015-5556, CVE-2015-5557, CVE-2015-5559, CVE-2015-5563, CVE-2015-5564, and CVE-2015-5565.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The CVE-2015-5561 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that significantly impacts system security across multiple platforms. This vulnerability exists in specific versions of Adobe Flash Player including those before 18.0.0.232 on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.508 on Linux, alongside affected Adobe AIR versions before 18.0.0.199. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through unspecified attack vectors that differ from several other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, making it a distinct yet equally dangerous threat. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player and AIR runtime components. When processing certain multimedia content or handling specific API calls, the software fails to properly validate memory references, leading to scenarios where freed memory blocks are still accessible to subsequent operations. This memory corruption allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow by overwriting critical memory locations with malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with advanced persistent threat patterns where attackers leverage such flaws to establish footholds for more comprehensive system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Flash Player's widespread deployment and the complex nature of multimedia processing within the runtime environment.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it enables remote code execution without user interaction in many scenarios. The impact extends beyond individual user machines to enterprise environments where Flash Player remains widely deployed for web content delivery, corporate training materials, and legacy applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through drive-by downloads, malicious websites, or compromised content delivered via web browsers that rely on Flash Player for multimedia rendering. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms amplifies its threat potential, requiring coordinated patch management across diverse IT infrastructures. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat landscape assessments given its alignment with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under process injection and code execution tactics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5561 require immediate patch deployment across all affected Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions that contain memory management fixes and validate patch effectiveness through vulnerability scanning tools. System administrators should implement network segmentation and browser security controls to limit Flash Player exposure, particularly in environments where the runtime is not essential for business operations. Additional protective measures include disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventories and establishing robust patch management processes that can respond quickly to critical security advisories. Regular security assessments should include verification of Flash Player and AIR runtime configurations to prevent exploitation attempts that leverage use-after-free conditions.