CVE-2015-7653 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 crafted globalToLocal arguments, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7651, CVE-2015-7652, 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 • 06/26/2022
The CVE-2015-7653 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that affected multiple platform versions across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of globalToLocal method arguments within the Flash runtime, creating a scenario where memory that had been freed could still be accessed and manipulated by malicious actors. The flaw exists in Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.261 and 19.x prior to 19.0.0.245 on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.548 on Linux, alongside affected Adobe AIR versions and SDKs. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of a use-after-free condition where a program continues to reference memory after it has been deallocated, creating opportunities for memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers craft malicious globalToLocal arguments that trigger the improper memory management behavior within the Flash Player runtime. When the Flash Player processes these crafted arguments, it can cause a legitimate memory object to be freed while still being referenced elsewhere in the execution flow. This memory corruption allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical data structures or function pointers. The vulnerability differs from several other related CVEs in the same year, indicating a distinct code path and memory management issue that specifically affects the globalToLocal method implementation. The flaw essentially creates a window where attackers can control memory contents before the system properly deallocates resources, enabling sophisticated exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to organizations relying on Flash-based content delivery, as it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted Flash file. The impact extends across multiple platforms and runtime environments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise networks where different operating systems coexist. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors on compromised systems. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 indicates it falls within the category of improper deallocation issues, specifically involving use-after-free conditions that are commonly targeted in advanced persistent threat campaigns. Organizations using legacy Flash content or those unable to immediately patch their systems face heightened risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7653 require immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR installations across supported platforms, with particular attention to the version-specific fixes mentioned in the advisory. System administrators should implement network-based controls to block Flash content delivery where possible, particularly for legacy applications that cannot be immediately updated. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions that attackers must craft, but the widespread use of Flash Player in enterprise environments makes it a prime target for exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions and implement proper monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include not only patching the runtime but also reviewing and updating any custom Flash applications or content that might be vulnerable to similar memory management issues. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting Flash Player execution to trusted domains can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts.