CVE-2015-8063 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-2015-8055, CVE-2015-8056, CVE-2015-8057, CVE-2015-8058, CVE-2015-8059, CVE-2015-8061, CVE-2015-8062, 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-2015-8063 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 macOS, while also impacting Linux systems with specific version constraints. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, making it a prime target for exploitation in cyber attacks. The flaw manifests in the memory management handling of Flash Player components, where freed memory blocks are accessed after they have been deallocated, creating opportunities for malicious code injection and privilege escalation. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration standard, this vulnerability maps to CWE-416 which specifically addresses the use of freed memory condition, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous security incidents over the years.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory references within Adobe Flash Player's runtime environment, where objects are deallocated from memory but references to them persist in memory structures. When these stale references are subsequently accessed, they point to memory locations that may have been reallocated for other purposes, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. Attackers can leverage this condition by crafting malicious Flash content that triggers the specific memory management scenario, causing the application to access freed memory blocks and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web browsers that have Flash Player installed, making it a common attack vector for drive-by download scenarios where users are unknowingly exposed to malicious content. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the widespread installation of Flash Player across various operating systems and devices, providing attackers with a broad attack surface.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8063 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass significant risks for enterprise environments and individual users alike. Organizations that rely on Flash Player for legitimate business operations face potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's ability to execute arbitrary code means that attackers can install backdoors, steal credentials, access sensitive data, or perform other malicious activities without detection. The fact that this vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile platforms increases the attack surface significantly, as it can be exploited across various device types including desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices. Security professionals must consider the implications of this vulnerability when assessing their overall security posture, particularly in environments where legacy Flash content is still actively used. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access to target networks, making it a high-priority issue for security teams to address through immediate patching and remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8063 focus primarily on immediate remediation through patching and updating to unaffected versions of Adobe Flash Player and related software components. Organizations should prioritize the deployment of patches released by Adobe, which address the specific memory management issues that lead to the use-after-free condition. Additionally, security measures such as disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious Flash-related activity can provide additional layers of protection. The National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be classified under the Tactic of Execution with techniques such as 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' and 'Exploitation for Client Execution', highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures that address both endpoint protection and network-based defenses. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other software components within their environment.