CVE-2015-8419 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8045, CVE-2015-8047, CVE-2015-8060, CVE-2015-8408, CVE-2015-8416, CVE-2015-8417, CVE-2015-8418, CVE-2015-8443, CVE-2015-8444, CVE-2015-8451, and CVE-2015-8455.
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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 platforms, along with Adobe AIR versions before 20.0.0.204 and corresponding SDK versions, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that could be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from several other CVEs published in the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2015-8045, CVE-2015-8047, CVE-2015-8060, CVE-2015-8408, CVE-2015-8416, CVE-2015-8417, CVE-2015-8418, CVE-2015-8443, CVE-2015-8444, CVE-2015-8451, and CVE-2015-8455, indicating a separate code path or implementation flaw within the Flash runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling mechanisms within the Flash Player's runtime engine, particularly affecting how the application processes certain multimedia content or script executions that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption scenarios. This memory corruption vulnerability operates at the core level of the Flash Player architecture and can be triggered through maliciously crafted SWF files or web content that leverages the affected runtime components. The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common indicators of memory corruption vulnerabilities in runtime environments. Attackers could exploit this weakness by delivering malicious content through web browsers or other applications that embed Flash Player functionality, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface extends across multiple platforms including Windows and OS X operating systems, as well as Linux environments where Adobe AIR is deployed, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous due to its widespread impact. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Flash-based applications and web content, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, execute malicious payloads, or cause service disruption through denial of service conditions. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through automatic content loading in web browsers, making it particularly dangerous for end users who may unknowingly encounter malicious content. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework would likely fall under T1059 for command and control communication and T1203 for legitimate program execution, as attackers could leverage the memory corruption to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected versions of Adobe Flash Player, AIR, and related SDK components to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The patching process requires careful verification of all installed versions across different platforms and ensures that updates are applied consistently throughout the enterprise environment. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Flash content. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for organizations to transition away from deprecated technologies like Flash Player due to the persistent nature of such vulnerabilities in legacy systems.