CVE-2015-7626 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.252 and 19.x before 19.0.0.207 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.535 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 19.0.0.213, Adobe AIR SDK before 19.0.0.213, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 19.0.0.213 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7625, CVE-2015-7627, CVE-2015-7630, CVE-2015-7633, and CVE-2015-7634.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.252 on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.535 on Linux, along with Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.213 and corresponding SDK versions, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability represents a distinct flaw from other related issues in the same advisory cycle, specifically excluding CVE-2015-7625, CVE-2015-7627, CVE-2015-7630, CVE-2015-7633, and CVE-2015-7634, indicating a separate attack surface within the Flash Player runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling mechanisms within the Flash Player's ActionScript virtual machine and native code execution pathways, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures through crafted Flash content. This memory corruption issue manifests when the player processes malicious SWF files that exploit buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other heap manipulation techniques, allowing adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into visiting compromised websites or opening malicious attachments containing specially crafted Flash content. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution to include complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to vulnerable systems. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player and AIR are particularly at risk due to the widespread deployment of Flash content across enterprise networks and the difficulty in completely disabling Flash functionality. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption flaws. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation typically requires initial access through malicious web content followed by privilege escalation to achieve full system compromise. The memory corruption characteristics of this vulnerability make it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction once a user visits a malicious website, making it a preferred target for zero-day exploits in advanced persistent threat campaigns.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves complex interactions between the Flash Player's Just-In-Time compiler, memory management subsystems, and the underlying operating system's memory protection mechanisms. Attackers exploit the lack of proper bounds checking in Flash Player's handling of serialized data structures, particularly when processing multimedia content that triggers memory allocation and deallocation sequences. The vulnerability affects both the desktop and mobile versions of the Flash Player runtime, though the attack surface varies between platforms due to different memory management approaches and security mitigations implemented by each operating system. Windows and OS X versions demonstrate different exploitation techniques due to their distinct memory protection mechanisms, while the Linux variant requires specific memory layout conditions to be successfully exploited. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple product lines including Flash Player, AIR, and SDK components indicates a fundamental flaw in the codebase that requires comprehensive patching across all affected versions. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability often requires specific environmental conditions to be exploited successfully, including particular versions of operating systems, installed security patches, and browser configurations. The memory corruption patterns observed in exploitation attempts suggest that the vulnerability may involve multiple attack vectors within the Flash Player's codebase, potentially affecting different subsystems including graphics rendering, network processing, and file I/O operations. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected versions to prevent exploitation, as the window for defending against this vulnerability is typically very short once public information about the exploit becomes available.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require comprehensive network security measures including web application firewalls, content filtering systems, and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious Flash content. Organizations should implement strict security policies that disable Flash Player execution in web browsers and restrict access to Flash-based content wherever possible. The implementation of exploit prevention technologies such as address space layout randomization, data execution prevention, and code signing verification can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Flash Player and AIR, particularly focusing on legacy systems that may not receive regular updates. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual Flash Player network activity, which could indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The patching process requires careful planning due to the potential for compatibility issues with existing Flash-based applications, making staged rollouts and thorough testing essential for successful mitigation. Incident response procedures should include specific protocols for detecting and responding to exploitation attempts, with particular attention to memory-based attack signatures and unusual process behavior that may indicate successful exploitation. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and opening suspicious email attachments that may contain malicious Flash content, as social engineering remains the primary delivery mechanism for this type of vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies that isolate Flash Player execution from critical system resources, providing an additional layer of protection against successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a critical security issue means that organizations should treat immediate remediation as a top priority, regardless of their typical security update schedules, and should monitor for related vulnerabilities that may be discovered in the same codebase or related components.