CVE-2016-1011 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1013, CVE-2016-1016, CVE-2016-1017, and CVE-2016-1031.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The CVE-2016-1011 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player affecting multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors. The affected versions include Flash Player 18.0.0.343 and earlier, 19.x versions through 21.x before 21.0.0.213 on Windows and OS X platforms, and Linux versions before 11.2.202.616. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise systems.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. When Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or handles specific API calls, it may free memory locations while other processes or threads still reference those areas. This creates a race condition where attackers can manipulate the freed memory to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level in many cases, allowing for privilege escalation and system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to gain elevated system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1011 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can deploy malware, establish persistent backdoors, and access sensitive information stored on compromised systems. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across enterprise environments and consumer devices made this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could be exploited through web browsers, email attachments, or malicious websites. Organizations running affected versions faced significant risk of advanced persistent threats and zero-day attacks, with the vulnerability potentially allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls and establish footholds within networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1011 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions, making it critical for organizations to implement these patches across their infrastructure promptly. System administrators should also consider disabling Flash Player in web browsers and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution. Network security controls including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes, as the affected versions of Flash Player were widely deployed across both enterprise and consumer environments, making comprehensive remediation essential for organizational security.