CVE-2016-0990 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-2016-0987, CVE-2016-0988, 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-2016-0990 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and related Adobe AIR applications that affected multiple platform versions across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacted Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.333 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.182 on Windows and OS X, while Linux versions were affected before 11.2.202.577. Additionally, Adobe AIR applications and their corresponding SDKs were vulnerable prior to version 21.0.0.176, creating a widespread attack surface that required extensive patching across multiple software components. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from several other related vulnerabilities in the same CVE series, indicating a distinct exploitation method that required unique defensive approaches.
This use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment where freed memory blocks are still referenced or accessed by subsequent operations. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the memory layout to execute arbitrary code. The technical implementation involves the Flash Player's handling of object references and memory cleanup procedures, where the application fails to properly invalidate pointers or track object lifecycles, allowing malicious actors to corrupt memory structures and potentially overwrite critical function pointers or execute shellcode within the application's memory space. Such memory corruption vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software development.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0990 was significant given the widespread deployment of Adobe Flash Player across enterprise networks and user endpoints, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web pages, compromised websites, or crafted Flash content delivered via email attachments, creating multiple potential infection pathways. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability's exploitation required sophisticated techniques due to modern memory protection mechanisms, though the use-after-free nature made it particularly dangerous for privilege escalation attacks. The attack surface extended beyond individual applications to include entire operating system environments, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access.
Organizations defending against CVE-2016-0990 were advised to implement immediate patch management procedures targeting the specific version releases mentioned in the vulnerability disclosure, with special attention to the cross-platform nature of the flaw requiring coordinated updates across multiple software components. The recommended mitigations included disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing network-based restrictions, and deploying application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of vulnerable Flash content. Security teams were also advised to monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts and to maintain updated threat intelligence feeds specifically targeting Flash-based attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability mapped to techniques involving exploitation for privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, with the use-after-free condition providing attackers with opportunities to establish footholds in target environments and maintain long-term access through carefully crafted malicious content delivery methods.