CVE-2016-0974 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability 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, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0973, CVE-2016-0975, CVE-2016-0982, CVE-2016-0983, and CVE-2016-0984.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2016-0974 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related software components that affects multiple operating systems and versions. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues and is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution on targeted systems. The flaw exists in the way Flash Player handles memory management during object lifecycle operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate freed memory regions and inject malicious code into the running process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a scenario where Flash Player allocates memory for objects and subsequently frees that memory while still maintaining references to it. When the application attempts to access this freed memory region, it creates a use-after-free condition that attackers can exploit by carefully crafting malicious content that forces the application to access the corrupted memory space. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions in software applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, making it a widespread threat vector for attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it provides attackers with a powerful foothold for further exploitation within compromised systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security controls and establish persistent access to target environments, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where Flash Player is commonly used for multimedia content delivery. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage or opening a compromised file, making it highly suitable for drive-by attack scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique related to the use of scripting languages for execution and T1068 which covers the exploitation of remote services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0974 require immediate patching of affected software versions to address the underlying memory management flaw. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player to versions 18.0.0.329 and above, 19.x versions beyond 19.0.0.306, and 20.x versions beyond 20.0.0.306 for Windows and macOS platforms, while also updating Linux versions to 11.2.202.569 or higher. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level controls to block Flash content delivery and consider disabling Flash Player entirely in enterprise environments where it is not strictly required for business operations. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual memory access patterns and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify the characteristic behaviors associated with use-after-free exploitation techniques. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent similar issues from affecting other software components in the organization's attack surface.