CVE-2015-5574 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5570, CVE-2015-5581, CVE-2015-5584, and CVE-2015-6682.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2015-5574 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that affected multiple operating systems and software versions. This vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.241 and 19.x prior to 19.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X platforms, as well as Linux versions before 11.2.202.521. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.190 and corresponding Adobe AIR SDK versions. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through unspecified attack vectors that differ from other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-5570, CVE-2015-5581, CVE-2015-5584, and CVE-2015-6682, making it a distinct threat vector within the broader landscape of Flash Player vulnerabilities.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. When a Flash application or content is processed, the system allocates memory for objects and resources that are subsequently freed when no longer needed. However, in this vulnerability, the memory management logic fails to properly track object references, allowing an attacker to manipulate the system into accessing memory locations that have already been freed. This creates a scenario where malicious code can be injected into the freed memory space and executed with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses Use After Free conditions, making it a classic example of improper memory handling that has been consistently flagged as a high-risk security issue in software development practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5574 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat vector for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploits. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system control, or deployment of additional malware. The widespread adoption of Adobe Flash Player across web browsers and applications meant that this vulnerability could affect millions of users globally, with the potential for large-scale exploitation campaigns. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability, affecting Windows, OS X, and Linux environments, increased the attack surface significantly. Organizations relying on Flash-based content for business operations, web applications, or digital media were particularly vulnerable, as users had no way to distinguish between legitimate and malicious Flash content without proper security controls in place.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5574 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive security measures. The most effective immediate response involves updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 18.0.0.241 or later, 19.0.0.185 or later for Windows and OS X, and 11.2.202.521 or later for Linux systems, along with updating Adobe AIR and AIR SDK components to versions 19.0.0.190 or later. Organizations should also implement network-based security controls such as content filtering, web application firewalls, and browser security policies that restrict Flash content execution. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, with the use-after-free condition representing a common entry point for initial compromise. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for Flash content execution, disabling Flash plugins in browsers where possible, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software ecosystems and the dangers of legacy software components that continue to receive security updates despite their age.