CVE-2015-8656 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and memory corruption) via crafted MPEG-4 data, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8045, CVE-2015-8047, CVE-2015-8060, CVE-2015-8408, CVE-2015-8416, CVE-2015-8417, CVE-2015-8418, CVE-2015-8419, CVE-2015-8443, CVE-2015-8444, CVE-2015-8451, CVE-2015-8455, CVE-2015-8652, CVE-2015-8654, CVE-2015-8657, CVE-2015-8658, and CVE-2015-8820.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
Adobe 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 platforms, along with Adobe AIR versions before 20.0.0.204 and related SDK versions, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution through maliciously crafted MPEG-4 media files. This vulnerability represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the processing of MPEG-4 video data structures, specifically within the Flash Player's multimedia decoding subsystem. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries while parsing malformed MPEG-4 container formats, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which directly maps to the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically been primary attack vectors in browser-based exploits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of MPEG-4 video frame data structures during the decoding process. When Flash Player encounters specially crafted MPEG-4 files containing malformed data, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate buffer boundaries before reading data into memory locations. This results in memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of a widely deployed multimedia plugin that runs with elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to vulnerable systems. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting a malicious MPEG-4 file that triggers the out-of-bounds read condition, which then leads to memory corruption and ultimately arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve complete system compromise. Systems running affected versions of Flash Player or AIR applications are at significant risk when users visit malicious websites or open compromised email attachments containing the malicious media files. The vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Windows and macOS platforms, with specific versions on Linux systems also impacted, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute malicious payloads and gain elevated system access. The vulnerability's presence in both end-user applications and development SDKs amplifies its threat surface, as developers using affected versions may inadvertently create exploitable applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of patched versions of Adobe Flash Player, AIR applications, and related SDKs, as well as implementing network-based restrictions that prevent access to untrusted media content. Organizations should consider disabling Flash Player entirely in their environments, particularly in enterprise settings where the attack surface can be minimized by removing the plugin from browsers and systems. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of untrusted Flash content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management processes, as this flaw existed in widely deployed software versions for extended periods. Additionally, network segmentation and sandboxing techniques can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation of similar out-of-bounds read conditions.