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National Cyber Awareness System: 07/14/2015 07:13 PM EDT
Original release date: July 14, 2015
Systems AffectedMicrosoft Windows systems with Adobe Flash Player installed. OverviewUsed in conjunction, recently disclosed vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash and Microsoft Windows may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with system privileges. Since attackers continue to target and find new vulnerabilities in popular, Internet-facing software, updating is not sufficient, and it is important to use exploit mitigation and other defensive techniques. DescriptionThe following vulnerabilities illustrate the need for ongoing mitigation techniques and prioritization of updates for highly targeted software:
Vulnerability ChainingBy convincing a user to visit a website or open a file containing specially crafted Flash content, an attacker could combine any one of the three Adobe Flash vulnerabilities with the Microsoft Windows vulnerability to take full control of an affected system. A common attack vector for exploiting a Flash vulnerability is to entice a user to load Flash content in a web browser, and most web browsers have Flash installed and enabled. A second attack vector for Flash vulnerabilities is through a file (such as an email attachment) that embeds Flash content. Another technique leverages Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) capabilities in Microsoft Office documents to automatically download Flash content from a remote server. An attacker who is able to execute arbitrary code through the Flash vulnerability could exploit the Adobe Type Manager vulnerability to gain elevated system privileges. The Adobe Type Manager vulnerability allows the attacker to bypass sandbox defenses (such as those found in Adobe Reader and Google Chrome) and low integrity protections (such as Protected Mode Internet Explorer and Protected View for Microsoft Office). ImpactThe Adobe Flash vulnerabilities can allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. Exploitation of the Adobe Type Manager vulnerability could then allow the attacker to execute code with system https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46366privileges. SolutionSince attackers regularly target widely deployed, Internet-accessible software such as Adobe Flash and Microsoft Windows, it is important to prioritize updates for these products to defend against known vulnerabilities. Since attackers regularly discover new vulnerabilities for which updates do not exist, it is important to enable exploit mitigation and other defensive techniques. Apply Security UpdatesThe Adobe Flash vulnerabilities (CVE-2015-5119, CVE-2015-5122, CVE-2015-5123) are addressed in Adobe Security Bulletins APSB15-16 and APSB15-18. Users are encouraged to review the Bulletins and apply the necessary updates. The Microsoft Windows Adobe Type Manager vulnerability (CVE-2015-2387) is addressed in Microsoft security Bulletin MS15-077. Users are encouraged to review the Bulletin and apply the necessary updates. Additional information regarding the vulnerabilities can be found in Vulnerability Notes VU#561288, VU#338736, VU#918568, and VU#103336. Limit Flash ContentDo not run untrusted Flash content. Most web browsers have Flash enabled by default, however, it may be possible to enable click-to-play features. For information see http://www.howtogeek.com/188059/how-to-enable-click-to-play-plugins-in-every-web-browser/ Use the Microsoft Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)EMET can be used to help prevent exploitation of the Flash vulnerabilities. In particular, Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) can be configured to help restrict Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer from loading the Flash ActiveX control. See the following link for additional information: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46366 References
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