CVE-2015-7657 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 actionCallMethod arguments, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7651, CVE-2015-7652, CVE-2015-7653, CVE-2015-7654, CVE-2015-7655, CVE-2015-7656, 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-2015-7657 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime environments that affects multiple operating systems and software versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of crafted actionCallMethod arguments within the Flash Player runtime, creating a scenario where freed memory locations can be accessed and manipulated by malicious actors. The issue manifests across Windows and macOS platforms for Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.261 and 19.x prior to 19.0.0.245, while Linux systems are impacted by versions before 11.2.202.548. Additionally, Adobe AIR environments and their corresponding SDKs are vulnerable until version 19.0.0.241, making this a widespread security concern affecting numerous enterprise and consumer systems.
This technical flaw operates through a classic use-after-free exploitation pattern where memory allocated to objects is freed but subsequent operations attempt to access that same memory location. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of actionCallMethod arguments which are part of Flash's ActionScript execution environment. When an attacker crafts malicious input parameters that trigger the execution of these method calls, the Flash Player runtime fails to properly validate or manage the memory lifecycle of affected objects. This memory management failure allows attackers to manipulate freed memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the runtime level of the Flash Player, which is commonly used across web browsers and applications, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can deliver malicious content through compromised websites or documents.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7657 extends far beyond individual system compromise, as it provides attackers with a powerful vector for executing malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass traditional security controls and potentially escalate privileges to system level access, especially when Flash Player runs with elevated permissions. The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting specific SWF files or web content that triggers the vulnerable code path, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Given that Flash Player was widely deployed across corporate networks and consumer environments, this vulnerability created significant risk for organizations, as it could be exploited through various attack vectors including drive-by downloads, malicious email attachments, or compromised websites. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 indicates it specifically addresses improper free of memory, which is a fundamental memory safety issue that can be exploited for privilege escalation and persistent access.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7657 primarily focus on immediate patching and remediation of affected systems. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 18.0.0.261 or later, and 19.0.0.245 or later for the 19.x series, while ensuring Adobe AIR environments are updated to version 19.0.0.241 or higher. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' as attackers can leverage the Flash Player runtime to execute malicious JavaScript code through crafted SWF files. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict content filtering policies to prevent access to untrusted Flash content, while security teams should consider disabling Flash Player entirely where possible, as many modern browsers have begun deprecating Flash support. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to receive limited security support, particularly when these components operate with elevated privileges and are frequently targeted by exploit developers.