CVE-2015-8420 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-2015-8405, CVE-2015-8406, CVE-2015-8410, CVE-2015-8411, CVE-2015-8412, CVE-2015-8413, CVE-2015-8414, 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-8420 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related technologies that was exploited by threat actors to achieve remote code execution on targeted systems. 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 platforms, as well as older versions on Linux systems. The issue also extends to Adobe AIR versions before 20.0.0.204 and their corresponding SDK and compiler components, making it a widespread concern across multiple Adobe products and operating systems. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, a common class of memory safety issues that occur when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the improper memory management within Adobe's runtime environment. When a malicious Flash content is processed, the vulnerable code path leads to memory being freed while still being referenced by subsequent operations, creating a scenario where attackers can inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web browsers when users visit compromised websites or open malicious Flash files, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread deployment of Flash Player across enterprise environments and consumer systems, increasing the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8420 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Adobe products creates a complex remediation challenge for organizations, as they must update not only Flash Player but also AIR applications and development tools. Organizations that had legacy systems running older versions of these technologies faced significant security risks, as the exploitation could occur without user interaction in many cases. The vulnerability's classification within the broader ATT&CK framework aligns with techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive cybersecurity operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8420 require comprehensive patch management across all affected Adobe products and platforms. Organizations should immediately implement updates to Adobe Flash Player, AIR, and their respective SDK components to address the use-after-free condition. System administrators should consider disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, particularly in enterprise environments where the technology is not essential for business operations. Network security measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help reduce exposure by blocking malicious Flash content before it reaches end-user systems. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining systems that may still be running vulnerable versions of Adobe software. The remediation process must also include monitoring for indicators of compromise and implementing behavioral analysis to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation often occurs silently without obvious user interaction.