CVE-2016-0971 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.329 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.306 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.569 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 20.0.0.260, Adobe AIR SDK before 20.0.0.260, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 20.0.0.260 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0971 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR platforms across multiple operating systems. This flaw exists in versions prior to 18.0.0.329 for Flash Player on Windows and OS X, and before 11.2.202.569 on Linux, alongside affected Adobe AIR versions. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the processing of certain multimedia content, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented class of memory safety issues that has been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of Flash Player's memory allocation mechanisms when processing malformed multimedia content. Attackers can craft specially designed flash files or web content that triggers the buffer overflow condition during memory operations. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions, making exploitation more reliable than stack-based overflows. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web browsers without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0971 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish backdoors for future access. The widespread adoption of Adobe Flash Player made this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affected a large number of users across different platforms and operating systems. Organizations that relied on Flash-based applications for business operations faced significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited through web browsers or even through desktop applications that embedded Flash content. The vulnerability's presence in Adobe AIR further expanded the attack surface, as AIR applications could be similarly compromised through malicious content delivery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0971 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 18.0.0.329 or later, and Adobe AIR to 20.0.0.260 or later, across all affected systems. System administrators should implement browser security policies that disable Flash content by default or restrict Flash execution to trusted sites only. Network-level protections can include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Flash content. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making network-based detection and prevention measures critical. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing technologies and privilege separation mechanisms to limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all systems remain patched and protected against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated.