CVE-2016-1027 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
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 or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1012, CVE-2016-1020, CVE-2016-1021, CVE-2016-1022, CVE-2016-1023, CVE-2016-1024, CVE-2016-1025, CVE-2016-1026, CVE-2016-1028, CVE-2016-1029, CVE-2016-1032, and CVE-2016-1033.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to specific patched releases contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. This vulnerability affected Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.343 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.213 on Windows and OS X platforms, while Linux systems were impacted before version 11.2.202.616. The flaw manifested through unspecified attack vectors that differed from other concurrently disclosed vulnerabilities in the same vulnerability family, making it particularly challenging to identify and mitigate. The memory corruption issue occurred during the processing of maliciously crafted Flash content, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability represented a significant threat to enterprise environments where Flash Player remained widely deployed, as it could be exploited through web browsers or other applications that integrated Flash content. The attack surface was particularly broad since Flash Player was commonly used across multiple platforms and applications, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations relying on legacy Flash content faced increased risk as the vulnerability could be triggered through seemingly benign web browsing activities or malicious web pages containing crafted Flash objects. The exploitability of this vulnerability was enhanced by the widespread use of Flash Player across different operating systems and the relatively low detection rates for such memory corruption attacks. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions, where attackers could destabilize applications and potentially cause system crashes. This particular vulnerability aligned with common weakness enumerations related to memory safety issues and could be categorized under attack techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation. The exploitation of this vulnerability required minimal user interaction, often succeeding through drive-by download scenarios where malicious websites automatically triggered the exploit when users visited compromised pages. Organizations implementing security controls needed to consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their network infrastructure, as Flash Player's integration with web browsers and desktop applications created multiple potential attack vectors. The remediation process required immediate patching of affected Flash Player installations across all supported platforms, with additional network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious Flash content. Security professionals emphasized that this vulnerability demonstrated the ongoing risks associated with legacy software components and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components. The vulnerability's classification under memory corruption CWE categories highlighted the fundamental nature of the flaw and its potential for serious system compromise. Mitigation strategies included not only patch deployment but also browser security hardening, network segmentation, and comprehensive monitoring for exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscored the critical importance of maintaining software inventory awareness and proactive vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from affecting enterprise environments. The incident served as a reminder of the persistent threat landscape surrounding multimedia software components and the necessity for organizations to maintain robust security postures across all software platforms.