CVE-2015-7660 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 setMask 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-2015-7658, 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-2015-7660 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 manifests when processing crafted setMask arguments within the multimedia framework, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is still accessed by subsequent operations. The flaw exists in the way Flash Player handles object lifecycle management during graphics rendering operations, particularly when manipulating mask properties in display objects. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through Flash-based attack vectors. The affected versions include 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, alongside various Adobe AIR versions before 19.0.0.241.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious SWF content that triggers a specific sequence of operations involving the setMask method. During normal operation, Flash Player allocates memory for display objects and their associated mask properties. When the memory management system frees this memory, a subsequent operation attempts to access the freed memory location, leading to undefined behavior. This condition can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which typically runs with user-level permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a heap-based buffer overflow scenario where freed memory chunks are reused without proper validation, allowing for memory corruption that can be exploited to redirect execution flow. The attack requires the user to view malicious content, typically through web browsers that embed Flash Player, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7660 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access within compromised systems. The vulnerability's presence in multiple platform versions and runtime environments increases its attack surface significantly, making it a prime target for mass exploitation campaigns. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player or AIR are at risk of being compromised through drive-by downloads, malicious websites, or spear-phishing campaigns that deliver crafted SWF files. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to data theft, system takeover, and deployment of additional malware, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Flash Player is still widely used for legacy applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7660 focus on immediate remediation through software updates and long-term security measures to reduce exposure. Adobe released patches for all affected versions, including Flash Player updates and AIR runtime fixes, which address the memory management flaw in the setMask implementation. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates across all systems running affected software versions. Additional mitigations include implementing browser security policies that disable Flash Player entirely, using sandboxing technologies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious SWF content. Network-level protections can include content filtering solutions that block known malicious Flash content and monitoring for suspicious network activity patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and demonstrates how legacy multimedia frameworks can present significant security risks when not properly maintained.