CVE-2015-8407 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow 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-2015-8457.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2022
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, and before 11.2.202.554 on Linux contained a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that could be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability represents a classic stack buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated buffer space on the stack. The flaw affects not only the standalone Flash Player but also Adobe AIR runtime environments including Adobe AIR SDK and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler versions prior to 20.0.0.204. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from CVE-2015-8457, indicating a separate code path or implementation flaw within the Flash Player runtime. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps directly to stack-based buffer overflow conditions where the attacker can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. The attack typically involves crafting malicious Flash content that, when executed by the vulnerable player, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the use of scripting languages for execution, specifically targeting Flash Player as a vector for code execution. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised Flash file. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The widespread deployment of Flash Player across enterprise environments made this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could be exploited across numerous endpoints with minimal user interaction required. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile platforms, with specific versions outlined for Windows, OS X, and Linux operating systems. The patch release cycle for Flash Player and AIR environments was critical in mitigating this vulnerability, with the affected versions requiring immediate updates to prevent exploitation. Organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management procedures to address this vulnerability across their deployed Flash Player installations, particularly given the long lifespan of Flash Player in enterprise environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks of complex multimedia frameworks that execute untrusted code in sandboxed environments, where memory corruption vulnerabilities can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this stack-based buffer overflow stems from improper input validation within Flash Player's handling of multimedia content. When Flash Player processes malicious SWF files, the parser fails to properly validate buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to overflow the allocated stack space. This overflow can overwrite critical program execution flow information, enabling attackers to redirect code execution to malicious payloads. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 indicates that the flaw involves a stack-based buffer that is not properly bounds-checked, making it susceptible to classic exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection. The attack surface extends beyond simple web browsing to include any application that embeds Flash Player functionality, including enterprise applications and web-based tools that utilize Flash for rich media experiences. The vulnerability's presence in multiple product lines including Flash Player, AIR, and AIR SDK demonstrates the interconnected nature of Adobe's multimedia platform and how a single flaw can affect an entire ecosystem. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability could be triggered through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments containing Flash content, or compromised web applications that embed Flash media. The exploitation process typically requires sophisticated crafting of malicious SWF files that carefully construct the buffer overflow to overwrite specific memory locations. The vulnerability's impact was amplified by the fact that Flash Player was enabled by default on most web browsers, making exploitation relatively easy for threat actors. Organizations needed to implement multiple layers of defense including browser security settings, content filtering, and network-based protections to mitigate the risk while awaiting patches. The vulnerability's resolution required patching across multiple product versions, with Adobe releasing updates that addressed the buffer overflow through improved input validation and memory management. The remediation process highlighted the importance of maintaining current security patches for multimedia frameworks and the risks associated with legacy software that continues to receive support but may not be actively updated by organizations. This vulnerability exemplifies why organizations should maintain strict control over multimedia content execution and why legacy Flash Player installations should be migrated to modern web standards to reduce attack surface. The incident underscored the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that can quickly respond to threats affecting widely deployed software components and the importance of maintaining awareness of attack vectors that exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities.