CVE-2015-7652 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.261 and 19.x before 19.0.0.245 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.548 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 19.0.0.241, Adobe AIR SDK before 19.0.0.241, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 19.0.0.241 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted gridFitType property value, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7651, CVE-2015-7653, CVE-2015-7654, CVE-2015-7655, CVE-2015-7656, CVE-2015-7657, CVE-2015-7658, CVE-2015-7660, CVE-2015-7661, CVE-2015-7663, CVE-2015-8042, CVE-2015-8043, CVE-2015-8044, and CVE-2015-8046.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The CVE-2015-7652 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and AIR runtime environments that affects multiple platform versions across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of the gridFitType property within Flash Player's rendering engine, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is still accessed by the application. The flaw stems from inadequate memory management practices during object lifecycle handling, allowing attackers to manipulate memory state through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution when a victim visits a malicious webpage or opens a specially crafted Flash content file.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the gridFitType property value to trigger a specific sequence of memory operations that result in a use-after-free condition. When Flash Player processes this malformed property value, it fails to properly validate or manage the memory references associated with the object being manipulated. This creates a race condition where memory allocated to an object is freed but the application continues to reference that memory location. Attackers can leverage this condition by carefully crafting input data that, when processed by the Flash Player, causes the application to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the Flash Player. The vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software development practices, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7652 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can be exploited in various real-world scenarios. The vulnerability affects not only the end-user experience but also creates potential for privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers can craft malicious Flash content that, when loaded by vulnerable Flash Player versions, will automatically exploit this memory management flaw without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across enterprise environments and personal computing devices makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it can be leveraged for targeted attacks, malware delivery, or persistent system compromise. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks of complex multimedia frameworks that handle untrusted input data, particularly when they operate with elevated privileges and have extensive access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7652 focus primarily on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions including Flash Player 18.0.0.261 and 19.0.0.245 for Windows and OS X, and 11.2.202.548 for Linux, along with corresponding AIR updates. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable systems are updated. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing browser security controls such as disabling Flash Player entirely or restricting Flash content to trusted domains. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious Flash content before it reaches vulnerable systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of application sandboxing and privilege separation techniques, as recommended by security frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. Organizations should also implement monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous memory access patterns or unusual network behavior associated with Flash Player components.