CVE-2016-0987 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.333 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.182 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.577 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 21.0.0.176, Adobe AIR SDK before 21.0.0.176, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 21.0.0.176 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0988, CVE-2016-0990, CVE-2016-0991, CVE-2016-0994, CVE-2016-0995, CVE-2016-0996, CVE-2016-0997, CVE-2016-0998, CVE-2016-0999, and CVE-2016-1000.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The CVE-2016-0987 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related technologies that has significant implications for system security. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Flash Player including those before 18.0.0.333 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.182 on Windows and OS X platforms, as well as older versions on Linux systems. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to Adobe AIR before 21.0.0.176 and its associated SDKs, creating a broad attack surface that spans across multiple Adobe products and operating systems. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow. This particular vulnerability differs from several other related issues including CVE-2016-0988 through CVE-2016-1000, indicating it represents a distinct exploitation vector that requires specific mitigation approaches.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2016-0987 enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the vulnerable application, which typically runs with the privileges of the user account. This use-after-free condition arises from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment, where objects are freed from memory but references to them persist in the program's execution path. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious content that triggers the vulnerable code path, causing the application to reference freed memory locations and potentially execute attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can be exploited through web browsers, desktop applications, and potentially mobile platforms where Flash Player is integrated. The flaw's presence in both desktop and mobile versions of Adobe AIR further amplifies its threat potential, as it can be exploited across multiple deployment environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations and end users who rely on Adobe Flash Player for multimedia content delivery and web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to compromised systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised document. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise networks and consumer devices, making the attack surface extremely large. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be exploited in the wild, with documented cases of successful exploitation in targeted attacks. The complexity of the attack vector means that exploitation does not require advanced technical skills, making it accessible to threat actors of varying capability levels. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR products face significant risk of compromise, particularly in environments where users regularly access untrusted web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0987 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe products to the latest available versions. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions, and organizations must ensure that all installations are updated to prevent exploitation. Network-based mitigations can include blocking Flash content at the firewall level or implementing content filtering solutions that prevent access to malicious Flash content. Browser vendors also provided mitigations through sandboxing features and content restrictions that limit Flash Player's capabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all systems. Additional defensive measures include disabling Flash Player in web browsers, particularly in environments where it is not required for business operations. Security monitoring should focus on detecting attempts to access Flash content or unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scriptlets and T1059.008 for PowerShell indicates that exploitation might be detected through behavioral analysis of system processes. Regular security assessments should verify that no systems are running vulnerable versions of Adobe Flash Player or AIR products, and that all updates have been properly applied. The remediation process must also include educating users about the risks associated with Flash content and the importance of keeping software up to date.