CVE-2015-5576 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 do not properly restrict discovery of memory addresses, which allows attackers to bypass the ASLR protection mechanism via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2022
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR versions prior to specified patches contain a critical vulnerability that undermines fundamental memory protection mechanisms on multiple operating systems. This vulnerability affects Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.241 and 19.x before 19.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X platforms, as well as Flash Player versions before 11.2.202.521 on Linux systems, along with affected Adobe AIR and AIR SDK versions. The flaw resides in the improper restriction of memory address discovery, which directly compromises the Address Space Layout Randomization security feature that is essential for modern exploit mitigation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows attackers to discover memory addresses that should remain hidden from unauthorized access, effectively bypassing ASLR protection mechanisms. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that falls under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and more specifically relates to CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The improper handling of memory address discovery creates a pathway for attackers to predict or determine the locations of critical memory segments, including stack and heap regions, which are typically randomized to prevent exploitation. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform sophisticated exploitation techniques that would otherwise be impossible due to ASLR protections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with the ability to circumvent multiple layers of security protection that are fundamental to modern operating systems. When ASLR is bypassed, attackers gain significant advantages in executing successful exploits against vulnerable systems, as they can now reliably target specific memory locations that were previously protected through randomization. This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the security architecture of Adobe's multimedia platform, affecting users across different operating systems and platforms, including desktop and mobile environments where Flash Player is commonly deployed. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable widespread exploitation across enterprise networks where Adobe Flash content is prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR versions, as well as comprehensive security assessments of systems that may still be running vulnerable software. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also considering the complete removal of Flash Player from systems where it is not strictly required. Security teams should also review and update their exploit prevention measures, including implementing additional protections such as Data Execution Prevention and Stack Canaries, to further reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with legacy software platforms that may not receive continued security support. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages, and represents a significant concern for organizations relying on outdated multimedia frameworks that may be exploited through web-based attack vectors.