CVE-2015-7648 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.255 and 19.x before 19.0.0.226 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.540 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging an unspecified "type confusion," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7647.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.255 on Windows and OS X and 11.2.202.540 on Linux contained a critical type confusion vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This flaw represented a distinct security issue from CVE-2015-7647 and occurred within the player's memory management and object handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stemmed from improper type checking during object manipulation, allowing attackers to manipulate object types in unexpected ways that could lead to arbitrary code execution. This type confusion issue specifically affected how Flash Player handled certain data structures and object references, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption patterns that could be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be triggered through web browsing activities, making it exploitable via malicious web pages or compromised websites without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the malicious content. The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-468, which describes improper type handling in programming contexts. This vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader attack chains, potentially allowing adversaries to bypass security controls and establish persistent access to affected systems. The impact extended beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on Flash Player for web content delivery.
The exploitation of this vulnerability required attackers to craft malicious Flash content that would trigger the type confusion during object handling. The attack vector typically involved delivering specially crafted swf files through web browsers or other Flash Player execution contexts. When the vulnerable Flash Player processed these malicious files, the type confusion would cause memory corruption that could be leveraged to redirect execution flow to attacker-controlled code. This attack pattern falls under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scriptlets and T1203 for exploitation for execution, demonstrating how web-based attacks could leverage Flash Player vulnerabilities for broader system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in multiple operating system versions including Windows, OS X, and Linux created widespread exposure across different computing environments, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking broad impact. Organizations using older Flash Player versions were especially vulnerable as these releases contained the flawed type checking mechanisms that enabled the exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focused on immediate patching of affected Flash Player versions, as Adobe released security updates addressing the specific type confusion issue. System administrators should have implemented strict browser security policies to disable Flash Player execution entirely, particularly for web browsing activities where the vulnerability was most commonly exploited. Network-based mitigations included implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block malicious Flash content from reaching users. Organizations should have also considered deploying endpoint protection solutions with behavioral monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous Flash Player execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive patch management processes. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should have been conducted to identify systems running vulnerable Flash Player versions and ensure timely remediation. Additionally, user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the dangers of enabling Flash content in browsers became critical defensive measures. The incident underscored the need for organizations to transition away from deprecated technologies like Flash Player to modern web standards that provide better security assurances and ongoing support.