CVE-2015-8439 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
The SharedObject 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 by leveraging an unspecified "type confusion" during a getRemote call, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8456.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8439 represents a critical type confusion flaw within Adobe Flash Player's SharedObject implementation that affects multiple versions across different platforms. This vulnerability specifically manifests during remote calls through the getRemote method, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates outside the scope of the previously identified CVE-2015-8456 vulnerability, indicating a distinct attack vector within the same software component. The vulnerability affects Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.268 and 19.x and 20.x prior to 20.0.0.228 on Windows and OS X platforms, as well as older Linux versions before 11.2.202.554, alongside affected Adobe AIR implementations and SDK versions. This widespread impact across multiple Adobe products demonstrates the systemic nature of the type confusion issue within the shared object handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on a type confusion attack pattern that falls under CWE-466, which specifically addresses the issue of returning a pointer to an object of the wrong type. During a getRemote call, the SharedObject implementation fails to properly validate or handle type information, allowing an attacker to manipulate object references and potentially overwrite critical memory structures. This type confusion occurs when the Flash Player's runtime incorrectly interprets or handles object types during remote communication operations, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that can manipulate the execution flow of the application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of input data that can trigger the type confusion during the remote object retrieval process, making it a sophisticated attack vector that requires deep understanding of the Flash Player's internal memory management.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8439 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant escalation in attack capabilities for threat actors targeting Adobe Flash-enabled environments. This vulnerability can be leveraged in phishing campaigns, drive-by download attacks, and supply chain compromises where attackers can deliver malicious Flash content that exploits the type confusion flaw. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability attractive to nation-state actors and organized cybercriminal groups. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR applications face potential full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access through this vulnerability. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms increases the attack surface and complicates mitigation efforts for security teams.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-8439 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR implementations, as well as implementing network-based controls to block Flash content delivery. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions mentioned in the vulnerability advisory, specifically targeting Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.268 and 20.0.0.228, and Adobe AIR 20.0.0.204, along with their respective SDK versions. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious Flash content, particularly focusing on remote object retrieval operations. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns consistent with type confusion exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and command and control communications, making it a critical target for defensive security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict Flash Player execution to trusted environments and regularly audit Flash content usage within their networks to identify and remediate exposure to this vulnerability.