CVE-2015-8071 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-2015-8063, CVE-2015-8064, CVE-2015-8065, CVE-2015-8066, CVE-2015-8067, CVE-2015-8068, CVE-2015-8069, CVE-2015-8070, 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 • 11/11/2024
The CVE-2015-8071 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related software components that significantly impacts system security across multiple platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.268 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.228 on Windows and OS X, as well as older versions on Linux systems. The flaw also extends to Adobe AIR versions before 20.0.0.204 and their corresponding SDK and Compiler versions, creating a widespread attack surface that spans across different Adobe products and operating systems. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where program code attempts to access memory after it has been freed, a pattern that frequently leads to exploitable conditions in memory management systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the fundamental flaw in Flash Player's memory management mechanisms. When certain conditions are met during Flash Player execution, the application may free memory resources while references to those resources still exist within the application's memory space. Attackers can manipulate this scenario to cause the application to access freed memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. The attack requires careful crafting of input data or specific Flash content that triggers the memory management error, making it a sophisticated exploit that can bypass standard security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8071 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise in many scenarios. Since Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise networks and consumer environments, the vulnerability created a significant risk for organizations that had not yet patched their systems. The vulnerability's presence in Adobe AIR and SDK components further amplifies the risk, as these tools are often used in development environments and can be exploited to compromise entire development workflows. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of application-specific commands and scripts to execute malicious code. Organizations that had not updated their Flash Player installations were particularly vulnerable to attacks that could result in data exfiltration, system takeover, or deployment of additional malware.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8071 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective approach involves updating all affected Adobe Flash Player installations to versions 18.0.0.268 and 20.0.0.228 or later, along with updating Adobe AIR and related SDK components to versions 20.0.0.204 or later. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to restrict Flash Player execution to trusted environments only. Network-based mitigations include blocking Flash content at the firewall level and implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Flash-based attacks. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 emphasizes the need for robust memory management practices and regular code reviews to identify similar patterns in other software components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing technologies that limit the potential impact of successful exploits and reduce the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in the future.