CVE-2015-8436 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the PrintJob object implementation 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 crafted addPage arguments, 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-2015-8426, 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-2015-8437, 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 • 11/09/2024
The CVE-2015-8436 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Adobe Flash Player's PrintJob object implementation that affects multiple platform versions and Adobe AIR runtime environments. This vulnerability specifically resides in the handling of crafted addPage arguments, making it distinct from numerous other related vulnerabilities within the same timeframe. The flaw manifests when Flash Player processes malformed page arguments during print job operations, creating a scenario where memory previously freed by the application can be accessed and manipulated by attackers. This particular vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends across Windows and macOS platforms for Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.268 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.228, while Linux users face risks with versions before 11.2.202.554. Adobe AIR environments are equally affected, with vulnerable versions extending back to AIR 20.0.0.204 and including various SDK and compiler versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a precise sequence where attackers craft malicious addPage arguments that trigger improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime. When the PrintJob object processes these crafted arguments, it can cause a race condition or improper memory deallocation that leaves objects in a state where they can be accessed after being freed. This memory corruption allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The attack vector typically involves embedding malicious SWF content within web pages or other media that triggers the vulnerable PrintJob functionality when users interact with the content. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, and T1555.003, which addresses the exploitation of credentials through application access. The use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory layout that attackers can leverage to overwrite function pointers or return addresses, enabling code execution control.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8436 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a significant threat vector for remote code execution in environments where Flash Player remains active. Organizations with legacy systems or those that have not updated their Flash Player installations face substantial risk of compromise, particularly in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through web browsing or email attachments. The vulnerability's presence in Adobe AIR SDK components means that developers creating applications with AIR runtime are also at risk, as these applications may be susceptible to the same memory corruption issues. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website or opening a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution to install backdoors, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's classification under multiple CVE identifiers indicates its widespread impact and the need for comprehensive patching across all affected Adobe products. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions immediately, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in unpatched environments and represents a significant risk to network security posture.