CVE-2015-8405 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-2015-8071, CVE-2015-8401, CVE-2015-8402, CVE-2015-8403, CVE-2015-8404, 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 • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-8405 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related Adobe AIR platforms that affects multiple operating systems and versions. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues, specifically targeting improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a condition where attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow through carefully crafted malicious content. The vulnerability impacts 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 platforms, while also affecting Adobe AIR versions before 20.0.0.204 and corresponding SDK versions on all supported platforms. The affected Linux versions are particularly vulnerable before 11.2.202.554. This vulnerability is distinct from numerous other related issues within the same timeframe, specifically excluding a comprehensive list of CVE identifiers that were previously identified as separate vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of CVE-2015-8405 stems from improper memory management practices within Adobe Flash Player's handling of objects and their lifecycle. When Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or executes specific ActionScript operations, it fails to properly validate object references before accessing memory locations that have already been deallocated. This memory management failure creates a window of opportunity for attackers to control the program's execution flow by manipulating the freed memory space. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that typically involve crafted SWF files or web content that triggers the memory corruption condition when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player runtime. The use-after-free condition allows for arbitrary code execution because attackers can overwrite critical memory locations with malicious code or manipulate pointers to redirect program execution to their payload.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8405 is severe and far-reaching, particularly given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise networks and user endpoints. The vulnerability enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised document. This makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios where users encounter malicious content through normal web browsing activities. The attack surface is extensive since Flash Player was commonly enabled in web browsers and supported numerous multimedia applications across different platforms. Organizations using older versions of Flash Player or AIR were particularly vulnerable, as the exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to enterprise environments where Flash Player remains enabled despite its known security limitations and the availability of alternative technologies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8405 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive security controls. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player versions to the latest releases, specifically updating to Flash Player 18.0.0.268 or later, and ensuring all AIR applications are updated to versions 20.0.0.204 or higher. System administrators should implement strict browser security policies that disable Flash Player plugins entirely or restrict their execution to trusted domains only. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious Flash content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through malicious content. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments, endpoint protection solutions, and user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites or opening suspicious attachments. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and memory protection features to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts.