CVE-2015-8426 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-2015-8420, CVE-2015-8421, CVE-2015-8422, CVE-2015-8423, CVE-2015-8424, CVE-2015-8425, 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-2015-8426 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related Adobe AIR applications that affected multiple platform versions across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote code execution. The flaw exists in 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, alongside Linux versions before 11.2.202.554, as well as in Adobe AIR and its SDK components before version 20.0.0.204. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from numerous other related vulnerabilities, making it particularly challenging to detect and defend against. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially execute arbitrary code on targeted systems, leveraging the freed memory pointer to redirect execution flow and gain unauthorized access to affected environments.
The technical implementation of CVE-2015-8426 involves the improper handling of memory management within Adobe's Flash Player runtime environment, where objects are deallocated from memory but references to these objects remain accessible to malicious code. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate the freed memory location and inject malicious payloads that can be executed with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core level of the Flash runtime, which is frequently used to deliver multimedia content on websites and applications, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks. When exploited, this use-after-free condition allows attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms and potentially escalate privileges, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to execute shellcode or other malicious instructions directly within the context of the Flash Player application.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8426 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Flash Player installations across multiple operating systems meant that a successful exploitation could affect a broad range of targets, including enterprise networks where Flash Player was commonly used for business applications and web content delivery. Security researchers have mapped this vulnerability to the attack technique T1059.007 within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, as attackers often leverage Flash-based exploits to deliver subsequent payloads or establish command and control channels. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, often allowing for automated attacks through compromised websites or malicious advertisements, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse untrusted web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8426 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected software components, as Adobe released security updates to address the vulnerability in versions 18.0.0.268, 20.0.0.228, and 20.0.0.204 for respective platforms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Flash Player installations are updated promptly, while also considering the complete removal of Flash Player from systems where it is not absolutely required, as Flash Player has been deprecated by Adobe since 2020. Network-based defenses can include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious Flash content, while endpoint protection measures should include behavior monitoring that can detect anomalous memory access patterns associated with use-after-free exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining installations of affected software versions and implement additional monitoring for suspicious process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory management anomalies and unexpected code execution within Flash Player processes.