CVE-2016-1014 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path 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 local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse resource in an unspecified directory.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The CVE-2016-1014 vulnerability represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Adobe Flash Player across multiple operating systems including Windows, OS X, and Linux. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of resource loading within the Flash Player runtime environment, specifically when processing external resources that are loaded from directories not properly validated or sanitized. The flaw allows malicious actors to place specially crafted resources in directories that Flash Player searches, potentially leading to privilege escalation when these resources are executed or loaded by the vulnerable application. The vulnerability affects versions prior to specific patches including Flash Player 18.0.0.343, 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.213 on Windows and OS X, and Linux versions before 11.2.202.616, highlighting the widespread impact across different platform variants and version ranges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of insecure directory traversal mechanisms within Flash Player's resource resolution process. When Flash Player loads external resources, it follows a predetermined search path that includes various system directories without adequate validation of the resource's origin or integrity. This untrusted search path behavior creates an opportunity for local attackers to place malicious files in directories that Flash Player will automatically search, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-276, specifically relating to insecure default permissions and improper access control mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness by placing Trojan horse resources in directories that Flash Player will access during normal operation, potentially causing the execution of malicious code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through application-specific weaknesses.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1014 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and persistent access. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows local users to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which often runs with elevated permissions, particularly when Flash Player is used in conjunction with web browsers that maintain elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond the initial exploitation, as the malicious resource can be automatically loaded when Flash Player processes certain content. The vulnerability's presence across multiple operating systems and version ranges increases its attack surface significantly, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to systems. Organizations using vulnerable Flash Player versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information, particularly in environments where Flash Player is actively used for web content delivery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1014 focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation. The primary recommendation involves updating Adobe Flash Player to versions that contain the necessary security fixes, specifically targeting the patched versions mentioned in the CVE description including 18.0.0.343, 21.0.0.213, and their corresponding Linux counterparts. System administrators should implement strict access controls and privilege separation to minimize the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that Flash Player processes run with minimal required privileges. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which directories Flash Player can access, monitoring for suspicious file placements in common search paths, and conducting regular security audits of Flash Player installations. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to prevent the delivery of malicious Flash content that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that security updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or content, particularly in enterprise environments where Flash Player integration with legacy systems is common.