CVE-2015-7658 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 actionInstanceOf arguments, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7651, CVE-2015-7652, CVE-2015-7653, CVE-2015-7654, CVE-2015-7655, CVE-2015-7656, CVE-2015-7657, 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-2015-7658 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related runtime environments that fundamentally compromises system security through memory management errors. This vulnerability specifically affects Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.261 and 19.x prior to 19.0.0.245 on Windows and OS X platforms, and Linux versions before 11.2.202.548, alongside affected Adobe AIR runtime environments and SDK versions. The flaw manifests when processing crafted actionInstanceOf arguments, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated, enabling attackers to manipulate program execution flow. This particular vulnerability operates independently from several other related issues in the same vulnerability family, distinguishing it as a unique memory corruption vector that requires specific exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Adobe's Flash Player runtime engine, where the actionInstanceOf bytecode instruction fails to properly validate object references before executing subsequent operations. When maliciously crafted arguments are processed through this instruction, the Flash Player's ActionScript virtual machine executes code that references memory locations that have already been freed and potentially reallocated by the system. This use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory access pattern that attackers can leverage to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core runtime level where memory management and object lifecycle handling are critical components, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7658 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to achieve privilege escalation and system compromise. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which typically runs with the same permissions as the user who initiated the browser session. This capability enables attackers to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a specially crafted web page or Flash content that triggers the vulnerable actionInstanceOf instruction, making it highly suitable for drive-by attack scenarios where users are simply browsing the internet. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across various platforms and applications significantly amplifies the potential attack surface, as organizations must consider protection across multiple operating systems and deployment environments.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2015-7658, beginning with immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR runtime versions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. Organizations must also deploy network-based intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious Flash content patterns, implement browser security policies that restrict Flash content execution, and utilize application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized Flash Player execution. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability through analysis of network traffic patterns, file system changes, and process execution logs that might reveal exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that all endpoints receive updates, including legacy systems that may still rely on Flash Player for critical applications, while maintaining proper testing procedures to avoid disrupting legitimate business operations that depend on Flash functionality.