CVE-2015-8643 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.324 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.267 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.559 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 20.0.0.233, Adobe AIR SDK before 20.0.0.233, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 20.0.0.233 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8634, CVE-2015-8635, CVE-2015-8638, CVE-2015-8639, CVE-2015-8640, CVE-2015-8641, CVE-2015-8642, CVE-2015-8646, CVE-2015-8647, CVE-2015-8648, CVE-2015-8649, and CVE-2015-8650.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2022
The CVE-2015-8643 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related software components that significantly impacts system security. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Flash Player across different operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. The flaw specifically manifests in versions prior to 18.0.0.324 for Flash Player, 19.x and 20.x versions before 20.0.0.267, and the corresponding Adobe AIR implementations before version 20.0.0.233. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free issue places it within the common weakness enumeration CWE-416, which specifically addresses the freeing of memory that is subsequently accessed, creating a potential exploitation vector for malicious actors. This particular vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from several other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, indicating a unique exploitation method that requires careful analysis of the underlying memory management mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Adobe's Flash Player runtime environment. When Flash Player processes certain media content or executes specific ActionScript code, it may free memory locations that are subsequently accessed by malicious code, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate the execution flow. The use-after-free condition typically occurs when the application releases memory back to the system but continues to reference that memory location, allowing attackers to potentially control what data is accessed or manipulated. This memory corruption vulnerability can be exploited through carefully crafted web content or malicious files that trigger the specific code path leading to the memory management error. The vulnerability's presence across multiple operating systems and Adobe products demonstrates the widespread impact of the underlying memory management flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8643 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, creating a significant threat landscape for organizations and individual users. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which often runs with elevated permissions on the target system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and consumer systems, where it serves as a common vector for delivering malicious content through web browsers and other applications. This vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation categories, particularly targeting the use of malicious content delivered through web-based attack vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation, making it a high-priority target for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8643 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective remediation involves updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 18.0.0.324 or later, and Adobe AIR to 20.0.0.233 or later across all affected platforms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across their infrastructure. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security controls such as disabling Flash Player content, using sandboxing technologies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious content. Network-level defenses should include monitoring for suspicious Flash-related traffic patterns and implementing strict access controls for systems that cannot immediately update. The vulnerability's classification as a critical security issue by Adobe and security vendors emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures and continuous monitoring for similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other software components. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious content that could exploit such vulnerabilities.