CVE-2016-1006 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.343 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.213 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.616 on Linux allows attackers to bypass the ASLR protection mechanism via JIT data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
Adobe Flash Player contains a critical vulnerability that undermines fundamental memory protection mechanisms on multiple operating systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to specific patches across Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically targets the Address Space Layout Randomization protection system, which is designed to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities by randomizing the memory layout of processes. When attackers can bypass ASLR through Just-In-Time compilation data manipulation, they gain substantial advantages in executing arbitrary code and maintaining persistence within compromised systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of JIT compilation data within the Flash Player runtime environment. During the execution of ActionScript code, the Flash Player generates machine code through JIT compilation processes that are subject to ASLR protections. However, the vulnerable versions fail to properly randomize or protect the memory locations where JIT data is stored and executed, allowing attackers to predict or access these memory regions. This weakness enables exploitation techniques that would normally be blocked by ASLR, making it significantly easier for attackers to perform memory corruption attacks such as buffer overflows or use-after-free vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software execution and memory management, where the JIT compiler's data handling creates predictable memory access patterns that can be leveraged by attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat vectors and attack surfaces within enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations running affected Flash Player versions face increased risk of successful exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content or where Flash Player is enabled in browsers. The vulnerability affects both desktop operating systems and mobile platforms, creating a broad attack surface that can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be combined with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack chains, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread use of Flash Player across various applications and web services, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent presence within networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Flash Player installations across all supported platforms. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions that address the ASLR bypass mechanism and restore proper memory protection for JIT data. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all endpoints receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where Flash Player remains enabled or required for legacy applications. Additional protective measures include disabling Flash Player in web browsers, implementing network-level controls to block Flash content, and monitoring for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in memory management can create significant security risks. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-119 Improper Access Control and CWE-122 Buffer Overflow, while ATT&CK framework categorizes it under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1070 Indicator Removal. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in software security architecture that requires immediate attention and remediation across all affected systems.