CVE-2016-1016 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in the Transform object implementation 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 a flash.geom.Matrix callback, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1011, CVE-2016-1013, CVE-2016-1017, and CVE-2016-1031.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
The CVE-2016-1016 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Adobe Flash Player's Transform object implementation that affects multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the flash.geom.Matrix callback mechanism, creating a dangerous condition where memory previously freed by the application is accessed again, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw exists in Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.343 for Windows and OS X platforms, and versions before 21.0.0.213 for Windows and OS X, while Linux versions are affected before 11.2.202.616. The vulnerability operates independently from other related issues such as CVE-2016-1011, CVE-2016-1013, CVE-2016-1017, and CVE-2016-1031, indicating a distinct attack vector that requires separate remediation approaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Transform object's handling of Matrix callbacks. When Flash Player processes certain geometric transformations through the flash.geom.Matrix API, it fails to properly validate or manage object references, leading to a scenario where a freed memory block is accessed again during subsequent operations. This memory corruption occurs in the context of the Flash Player's rendering engine, where the Transform object maintains references to objects that may be destroyed while still being referenced elsewhere in the code execution path. The use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory layout that attackers can exploit to inject and execute malicious code, leveraging the Flash Player's execution context to bypass security restrictions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1016 extends beyond typical memory corruption vulnerabilities due to Flash Player's widespread deployment and privileged execution context. This vulnerability allows attackers to achieve remote code execution on vulnerable systems without requiring user interaction, as the exploit can be delivered through malicious Flash content embedded in web pages. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Flash Player's integration with web browsers and its ability to execute code with the privileges of the user running the application. Security researchers have mapped this vulnerability to CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution through Flash Player. The vulnerability's exploitation potential has been demonstrated in the wild, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams managing legacy Flash content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1016 require immediate action to update Flash Player installations to patched versions, with particular attention to the specific version numbers mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability affects multiple major versions across different platforms. Security measures beyond patching should include web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious Flash content, browser security policies that restrict Flash execution, and network monitoring to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 and its mapping to ATT&CK framework techniques emphasize the need for both defensive measures and incident response preparedness, as attackers exploiting this vulnerability can achieve persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, given the elevated privileges that Flash Player can access through this vulnerability.