CVE-2016-0979 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0964, CVE-2016-0965, CVE-2016-0966, CVE-2016-0967, CVE-2016-0968, CVE-2016-0969, CVE-2016-0970, CVE-2016-0972, CVE-2016-0976, CVE-2016-0977, CVE-2016-0978, CVE-2016-0980, and CVE-2016-0981.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR versions prior to specified patches contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability affects multiple product lines including Flash Player on Windows and OS X platforms, Flash Player on Linux, and various Adobe AIR versions across different operating systems. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that differ from several other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct code path or memory handling issue within the affected software components. The vulnerability resides in how the software processes certain input data structures, leading to improper memory management that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Flash Player and AIR runtime environments, specifically involving buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that occur when processing malformed input data. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed Flash content or AIR applications that trigger the memory corruption when executed by vulnerable software versions. The memory corruption allows adversaries to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Flash Player was widely deployed across web browsers and operating systems, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the vulnerability at scale.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. When exploited successfully, attackers can gain persistent access to compromised systems, potentially establishing backdoors for further exploitation or data exfiltration activities. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile platforms, with the Linux version being particularly concerning given the widespread use of Adobe AIR applications in enterprise environments. Organizations relying on Flash-based content for web applications, multimedia presentations, or enterprise software are at significant risk of compromise. The vulnerability's presence in Adobe AIR SDK components also means that developers creating applications with these tools may inadvertently create attack vectors that could be exploited in the field. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement through compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Adobe Flash Player and AIR installations across enterprise environments. Organizations should implement strict content filtering and sandboxing measures to limit the execution of potentially malicious Flash content. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, paying particular attention to unusual memory access patterns or process behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of memory corruption vulnerabilities, implementing exploit protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention can provide additional defense layers. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems, and security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of executing untrusted Flash content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and demonstrates the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to be deployed despite known security issues.