CVE-2015-8644 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging an unspecified "type confusion."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.324 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.267 on Windows and OS X platforms, along with versions before 11.2.202.559 on Linux, as well as Adobe AIR versions before 20.0.0.233 and corresponding SDK versions, contained a critical type confusion vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object types during runtime execution, where the software fails to properly validate or enforce type boundaries when processing malicious input data. The flaw manifests when Flash Player encounters specially crafted content that triggers a type confusion scenario, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-476 which describes null pointer dereference conditions, but more specifically aligns with CWE-129 and CWE-787 related to improper input validation and buffer overflows. The attack vector leverages the inherent complexity of Flash's ActionScript virtual machine and its interaction with native code, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption patterns that bypass traditional security controls. When exploited, this vulnerability allows adversaries to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially enabling persistence mechanisms and lateral movement within networks. The operational impact extends beyond individual system compromise to encompass enterprise environments where Flash Player remains widely deployed for multimedia content and web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through malicious web pages, compromised websites, or even file-based attacks when users open infected Flash content. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and incident response planning, as it represents a classic remote code execution vector that can be weaponized using techniques from the attack framework. The presence of this vulnerability in multiple product lines including desktop players, mobile versions, and AIR runtime environments creates an expansive attack surface that security teams must address comprehensively. Remediation efforts should focus on immediate patching of all affected versions, implementation of network-based controls such as web application firewalls, and consideration of Flash Player deprecation strategies given its historical security track record. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of memory safety practices and the need for robust input validation mechanisms in complex software environments. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability are consistent with those described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary code and establish persistent access through compromised Flash applications. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement appropriate detection measures within their network security monitoring systems to identify potential exploitation attempts.