CVE-2015-8055 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.268 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.228 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.554 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 20.0.0.204, Adobe AIR SDK before 20.0.0.204, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 20.0.0.204 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8048, CVE-2015-8049, CVE-2015-8050, CVE-2015-8056, CVE-2015-8057, CVE-2015-8058, CVE-2015-8059, CVE-2015-8061, CVE-2015-8062, CVE-2015-8063, CVE-2015-8064, CVE-2015-8065, CVE-2015-8066, CVE-2015-8067, CVE-2015-8068, CVE-2015-8069, CVE-2015-8070, CVE-2015-8071, CVE-2015-8401, CVE-2015-8402, CVE-2015-8403, CVE-2015-8404, CVE-2015-8405, CVE-2015-8406, CVE-2015-8410, CVE-2015-8411, CVE-2015-8412, CVE-2015-8413, CVE-2015-8414, CVE-2015-8420, CVE-2015-8421, CVE-2015-8422, CVE-2015-8423, CVE-2015-8424, CVE-2015-8425, CVE-2015-8426, CVE-2015-8427, CVE-2015-8428, CVE-2015-8429, CVE-2015-8430, CVE-2015-8431, CVE-2015-8432, CVE-2015-8433, CVE-2015-8434, CVE-2015-8435, CVE-2015-8436, CVE-2015-8437, CVE-2015-8441, CVE-2015-8442, CVE-2015-8447, CVE-2015-8448, CVE-2015-8449, CVE-2015-8450, CVE-2015-8452, and CVE-2015-8454.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2022
The CVE-2015-8055 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related software components that has significant implications for system security. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Flash Player across different operating systems including Windows and OS X, as well as Linux systems, alongside Adobe AIR and its associated development tools. The flaw manifests in the way the software handles memory management, specifically when objects are freed from memory but still referenced by other parts of the application, creating a dangerous scenario where attackers can manipulate the memory state to execute arbitrary code.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. When Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or executes specific actions within its runtime environment, it fails to properly validate object references after memory deallocation. This creates a window of opportunity for malicious actors to inject and execute code within the context of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted multimedia content or web pages designed to trigger the memory management error during normal Flash Player operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8055 extends far beyond simple exploitation, as it affects widely deployed software components that are integral to web browsing and multimedia content delivery. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player, AIR, or AIR SDK are at significant risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where users frequently visit untrusted websites or receive malicious email attachments containing embedded Flash content. The vulnerability's presence in multiple software versions and platforms means that attack surfaces are extensive, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies across enterprise environments. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability often serves as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, with threat actors leveraging it to establish persistent access or deploy additional malware payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8055 require immediate action through software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected versions of Adobe Flash Player, Adobe AIR, and related development tools to the latest secure releases. The recommended approach includes implementing automatic update mechanisms where possible, as well as conducting thorough inventory audits to identify all potentially affected systems. Additionally, network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems should be configured to block Flash content from untrusted sources, while browser security policies can be adjusted to disable Flash Player execution entirely. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through compromised applications, with potential lateral movement opportunities once initial compromise is achieved. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of defense-in-depth strategies, as relying solely on endpoint protection may not be sufficient given the widespread nature of Flash Player usage in enterprise environments.