CVE-2015-6682 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-2015-5574, CVE-2015-5581, and CVE-2015-5584.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The CVE-2015-6682 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that persisted across multiple platform versions and deployment scenarios. This vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.241 and 19.x prior to 19.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X systems, alongside Linux versions before 11.2.202.521, along with Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.190 and corresponding SDK versions. The flaw manifests as a memory management error where freed memory blocks are accessed after their intended lifecycle, creating a predictable exploitation vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise vulnerable systems. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from related issues such as CVE-2015-5570, CVE-2015-5574, CVE-2015-5581, and CVE-2015-5584, indicating a unique code path that requires separate analysis and mitigation approaches.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Adobe's Flash Player and AIR runtime environments. When certain Flash content executes, the application allocates memory for objects and subsequently frees them from the heap. However, the application fails to properly nullify pointers or validate object references before allowing subsequent code execution to access these freed memory locations. This memory corruption allows attackers to manipulate the freed memory blocks and potentially redirect execution flow to malicious code injected into the same memory space. The flaw exists at the core of Adobe's ActionScript runtime and native code handling, where memory allocation patterns and object lifecycle management do not adequately prevent access to deallocated resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate Flash content delivery mechanisms, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6682 extends far beyond simple exploitation capabilities, as it enables attackers to achieve full system compromise through remote code execution. This vulnerability allows threat actors to bypass traditional security controls by leveraging the trusted Flash runtime environment to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running Flash process, typically running with user-level permissions but potentially elevated through additional attack vectors. The widespread deployment of Flash Player across enterprise networks and consumer devices created a massive attack surface, with the vulnerability affecting not only individual users but also organizations that relied on Flash-based applications and content. The attack chain typically involves delivering malicious Flash content through web browsers, email attachments, or compromised websites, where the vulnerable Flash runtime automatically processes the malicious payload and triggers the memory corruption. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Script and T1059.006 for PowerShell, as attackers often leverage Flash content to establish initial access and subsequently deploy additional payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6682 require immediate patching of all affected Adobe products, including Flash Player, Adobe AIR, and their corresponding SDK versions, as well as implementing network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious Flash content. Organizations should disable Flash Player in web browsers where possible and implement application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of untrusted Flash content. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the vulnerability often manifests through specific memory access patterns and heap manipulation techniques. The remediation process must address all affected platforms including Windows, OS X, and Linux, with particular attention to Adobe AIR deployments in enterprise environments. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in runtime environments, aligning with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions and the broader category of memory safety issues in software development. Organizations should also implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular assessment of runtime environments and third-party components to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.