PatchTheCVECVE-2018-15982: Adobe Flash Player Use-After-Free Vulnerability
92
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HIGH 7.8EXPLOITEDWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2018-15982 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting flash player, flash player, flash player, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Flash Player versions 31.0.0.153 and earlier, and 31.0.0.108 and earlier have a use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- Public exploit reference
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 89.6% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-08-15, used in ransomware |
| Weakness | CWE-416 |
| Published | 2019-01-18 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-01 |
Last updated 2026-10-01 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 31.0.0.153
Fixed in: newer than 31.0.0.153
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 31.0.0.153 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 31.0.0.153
Fixed in: newer than 31.0.0.153
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 31.0.0.153 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 31.0.0.153
Fixed in: newer than 31.0.0.153
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 31.0.0.153 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 31.0.0.153
Fixed in: newer than 31.0.0.153
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 31.0.0.153 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Exact fixes by distribution
A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Fedora 46 · copyparty · FIXED · 1.20.26-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-8fbe18458e · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-8fbe18458e
Fedora ELN · man-pages · FIXED · 6.20-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-f1f5fb11b4 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-f1f5fb11b4
RHEL 6 Supplementary · flash-plugin · FIXED · flash-plugin-32.0.0.101-1.el6_10
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2018:3795
rpm -q flash-plugin
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: Ridter/CVE-2018-15982_EXP (178 stars)
- GitHub PoC: scanfsec/CVE-2018-15982 (29 stars)
- GitHub PoC: Ormicron/CVE-2018-15982_PoC (13 stars)
- Write-up: github.com/cisagov/vulnrichment/issues/195
- Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46051/
- GitHub PoC: FlatL1neAPT/CVE-2018-15982
- Exploit-DB: Adobe Flash ActiveX Plugin 28.0.0.137 - Remote Code Execution (PoC)
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2018-15982?
flash player: upgrade to newer than 31.0.0.153; flash player: upgrade to newer than 31.0.0.153; flash player: upgrade to newer than 31.0.0.153. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-15982 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2018-15982 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2018-15982 affect?
CVE-2018-15982 affects flash player, flash player, flash player. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Flash Player versions 31.0.0.153 and earlier, and 31.0.0.108 and earlier have a use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
How urgent is CVE-2018-15982?
Priority 92/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist
Software pages
Related CVEs
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- CVE-2020-3757 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player versions 32.0.0.321 and earlier, 32.0.0.314 and earlier, 32.0.0.321 and earlier, and 32.0.0
- CVE-2019-8075 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player version 32.0.0.192 and earlier versions have a Same Origin Policy Bypass vulnerability
- CVE-2019-8070 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player 32.0.0.238 and earlier versions, 32.0.0.207 and earlier versions have a Use after free vuln