CVE-2016-1015 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 by overriding NetConnection object properties to leverage an unspecified "type confusion," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1019.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.343 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.213 on Windows and OS X platforms, along with versions before 11.2.202.616 on Linux systems, contained a critical type confusion vulnerability that enabled remote code execution through manipulation of NetConnection object properties. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the Flash Player's type handling mechanisms, where the software failed to properly validate data types during object property manipulation, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious content that could exploit this weakness. The vulnerability specifically affects the way Flash Player processes NetConnection objects, which are used for establishing network connections and handling data transmission within Flash applications. The type confusion aspect of this vulnerability means that the player's runtime environment could be tricked into treating data as one type when it was actually another, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. This issue differs from CVE-2016-1019, indicating that while both vulnerabilities involve network connectivity and Flash Player components, they operate through distinct mechanisms and code paths. The vulnerability falls under CWE-466, which describes the use of an incorrect function or method, and relates to improper handling of type information within the runtime environment. The attack vector requires an attacker to craft malicious Flash content that specifically targets the NetConnection object properties, leveraging the type confusion to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This represents a significant threat to users because Flash Player was widely deployed across multiple platforms, and many applications relied on Flash for multimedia content and web interactions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems and execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the Flash Player process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables attackers to perform remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted Flash file. The exploitation process involves crafting Flash content that manipulates NetConnection object properties in a way that triggers the type confusion, causing the Flash Player to execute unintended code sequences. This vulnerability operates at the runtime level of the Flash Player, making it particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities. The affected versions span multiple release lines, indicating that this was a persistent issue that required multiple patches to address properly across different platform versions. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability was particularly concerning because it could be exploited through web-based attacks, requiring no local privilege escalation or specialized knowledge of the target system beyond creating the malicious content. The attack scenario typically involves a user visiting a compromised website hosting malicious Flash content, which then exploits the type confusion vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks of complex runtime environments like Flash Player, where improper handling of object types and memory management can create significant security risks. The exploitation techniques for this vulnerability align with ATT&CK tactic T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, as the malicious code execution occurs through the Flash Player's interpretation of malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected Flash Player versions, as Adobe released security updates addressing this specific type confusion issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Flash Player installations are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. The recommended approach includes disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, as many modern browsers have deprecated support for Flash content entirely. Security administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual network traffic patterns associated with malicious Flash content. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious Flash content, implementing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Flash Player. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper type validation in runtime environments and highlights the need for robust input sanitization and object property handling mechanisms. Organizations should also consider migrating away from Flash-based content entirely, as the technology has been deprecated and poses ongoing security risks. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against vulnerabilities that can be exploited through web-based attack vectors. Security professionals should also monitor for related vulnerabilities that may have similar exploitation patterns, as type confusion vulnerabilities often indicate broader issues within software runtime environments. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that security updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing Flash-based applications.