CVE-2015-5578 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 (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5575, CVE-2015-5577, CVE-2015-5580, CVE-2015-5582, CVE-2015-5588, and CVE-2015-6677.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.241 for Windows and OS X, 19.x versions before 19.0.0.185 for the same platforms, and 11.2.202.521 for Linux, along with Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.190 including the corresponding SDK and compiler versions, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that could be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from several other related issues identified in the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2015-5575, CVE-2015-5577, CVE-2015-5580, CVE-2015-5582, CVE-2015-5588, and CVE-2015-6677, indicating that attackers had multiple attack vectors available through the Flash Player and AIR runtime environments. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Flash Player's ActionScript virtual machine and multimedia processing components, where insufficient bounds checking and memory management procedures allowed attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted malicious content. This flaw aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, both of which are common in memory corruption exploits. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to include complete system compromise, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to full system control. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications that embed Flash content, making it particularly dangerous due to the widespread use of Flash Player across different operating systems. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting specially designed Flash files or web content that triggers memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable Flash runtime, allowing attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially redirect execution flow. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for the use of Flash-based command and control channels, T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations should immediately deploy patches for all affected versions, as the vulnerability affects not just the Flash Player runtime but also the AIR runtime and SDK components that share underlying code bases. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and web content filtering to prevent access to potentially malicious Flash content, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability in their environments. The remediation process requires careful coordination between IT operations and security teams to ensure all affected systems are properly updated without disrupting legitimate Flash-based applications that may still be in use within the organization.
The vulnerability's memory corruption nature makes it particularly challenging to detect and prevent, as it often manifests through subtle anomalies in memory allocation patterns rather than obvious error conditions. This characteristic aligns with the broader category of heap-based memory corruption vulnerabilities that have historically been among the most dangerous classes of security flaws in software applications. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple platforms including Windows, OS X, and Linux demonstrates the cross-platform nature of the underlying security flaw in the Flash Player implementation. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability could be triggered through various code paths within the Flash Player's multimedia processing pipeline, including handling of video streams, audio processing, and complex vector graphics rendering. This multi-vector attack surface increases the probability of successful exploitation and makes defensive measures more complex, as organizations must protect against multiple potential entry points. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the realm of advanced persistent threat (APT) vectors, where attackers can leverage such flaws to establish long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations implementing security controls should consider the specific attack patterns associated with this vulnerability, including the use of crafted SWF files and embedded multimedia content as primary attack vectors. The patching process for this vulnerability requires careful testing due to the extensive use of Flash Player in enterprise environments, as some legacy applications may not function properly with updated versions. Security professionals should also be aware that this vulnerability was part of a broader set of Flash Player issues that were actively exploited in the wild, indicating that organizations should treat it as a high-priority threat requiring immediate attention. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual system compromise to include potential data exfiltration and lateral movement capabilities, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data assets.