CVE-2015-7631 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a TextLine object with a crafted validity property, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7629, CVE-2015-7643, and CVE-2015-7644.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2022
The CVE-2015-7631 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and AIR runtime environments that affects multiple operating systems including Windows, OS X, and Linux. This vulnerability specifically targets the TextLine object within the Flash runtime, exploiting a memory management error that occurs when the validity property is manipulated with crafted input data. The flaw exists in versions prior to 18.0.0.252 and 19.x before 19.0.0.207 for Flash Player on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.535 on Linux, as well as in Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.213 and corresponding SDK versions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating a potential attack surface for remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious SWF file contains a TextLine object with specially crafted validity property values that trigger improper memory deallocation. When the Flash runtime processes this malformed object, it creates a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web browsers when users visit compromised websites or open malicious Flash content, making it a prime target for drive-by attack scenarios. The vulnerability differs from related issues CVE-2015-7629, CVE-2015-7643, and CVE-2015-7644, indicating distinct memory management flaws within the Flash Player's text rendering subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7631 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to bypass security controls and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors or when users have elevated privileges. Security researchers have documented this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, where it maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. The widespread adoption of Adobe Flash Player across various platforms made this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affected not just desktop systems but also mobile devices that relied on Flash content. Organizations that had not yet migrated away from Flash-based applications were especially vulnerable, as the exploit could be delivered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7631 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions, and system administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of patches to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and using network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with legacy software components, particularly those with extensive attack surfaces like multimedia frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to execute code with elevated privileges and potentially gain access to sensitive system resources.