CVE-2016-1010 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow 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-2016-0963 and CVE-2016-0993.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1010 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR across multiple platforms and versions. This vulnerability resides within the core processing mechanisms of these applications, specifically within their handling of numerical values during memory allocation and data processing operations. The integer overflow condition occurs when the system attempts to process values that exceed the maximum capacity of the integer data type, leading to unexpected behavior in memory management and potentially allowing malicious code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental flaw in how Flash Player and AIR handle integer arithmetic operations, particularly when dealing with large data structures or memory allocations. When an integer overflow occurs, it can cause the application to allocate insufficient memory or overwrite adjacent memory locations, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a serious weakness in software security design. The vulnerability affects Windows and OS X systems running Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.333 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.182, as well as Linux systems with Flash Player versions before 11.2.202.577, alongside affected Adobe AIR implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within enterprise and user environments where Flash Player remains widely deployed for multimedia content delivery and web applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through malicious web pages or compromised content that triggers the integer overflow condition when the affected software processes specific data structures. The attack surface is particularly broad given Flash Player's historical prevalence in web browsers and its integration with various web applications. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms and potentially gain full control over affected systems, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploits.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1010 primarily focus on immediate patching and system updates to the latest versions of Adobe Flash Player and AIR. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include rapid deployment of security patches across all affected systems. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers often leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access through command execution. Additionally, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. System administrators should also consider disabling Flash Player in browsers where it is not strictly required and monitor for any suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate remediation and continuous monitoring for any signs of exploitation within the network infrastructure.