CVE-2015-5567 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.241 and 19.x before 19.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.521 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 19.0.0.190, Adobe AIR SDK before 19.0.0.190, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 19.0.0.190 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (stack memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5579.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.241 on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.521 on Linux, along with Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.190 and corresponding SDK versions, contained a critical stack memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability represents a sophisticated memory safety issue that falls under CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that typically involve malicious Flash content delivered through web browsers or other Flash Player execution environments, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and consumer settings where Flash Player remains widely deployed. The vulnerability operates by exploiting improper bounds checking during Flash Player's processing of malformed multimedia content, allowing attackers to manipulate stack memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This issue differs from CVE-2015-5579, indicating a separate code path or attack surface within the Flash Player runtime that requires distinct mitigation strategies.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in how Flash Player manages stack memory allocation and data validation during multimedia content processing. Attackers can craft specially designed SWF files or web content that triggers the memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player versions. The stack memory corruption occurs during the execution of Flash Player's ActionScript virtual machine or multimedia rendering components, where insufficient input validation allows malicious data to overflow stack buffers and overwrite return addresses or other critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service scenarios where system stability is compromised through stack corruption that may cause application crashes or system hangs.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5567 extends across multiple platforms and deployment scenarios, affecting both desktop operating systems and mobile environments where Flash Player or AIR runtime components are installed. Organizations running legacy systems with outdated Flash Player versions face significant risk exposure, as these components continue to be present in many enterprise environments despite Adobe's end-of-life announcement for Flash Player. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute shellcode or escalate privileges within the user context. Network security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where Flash Player remains enabled for legacy application support. The attack complexity is relatively low, as the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browsing, making it an attractive target for automated exploit campaigns and zero-day exploitation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5567 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR components, with particular attention to the specific version numbers mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes that include verification of patched installations and monitoring for successful exploitation attempts. Network defenders should consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to block Flash content from untrusted sources, while also deploying endpoint protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as exploitation often involves executing malicious code through Flash Player's interpreted scripting environment. Organizations should also conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable Flash Player versions and implement temporary workarounds such as disabling Flash Player plugins or blocking Flash content at the network level until permanent patches are deployed. Regular security assessments should include verification of Flash Player configurations and monitoring for suspicious activity related to Flash Player memory corruption exploits.