CVE-2016-1031 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-2016-1011, CVE-2016-1013, CVE-2016-1016, and CVE-2016-1017.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The CVE-2016-1031 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player that affected multiple version ranges across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targeted Windows and macOS installations of Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.343 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.213, while Linux systems were impacted by versions before 11.2.202.616. The flaw falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors. This vulnerability is distinct from several related issues including CVE-2016-1011, CVE-2016-1013, CVE-2016-1016, and CVE-2016-1017, indicating that it represents a unique code path or memory management issue within the Flash Player runtime environment.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the memory corruption behavior. When Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or executes specific code patterns, the memory management system fails to properly track object references, leading to situations where freed memory locations can be accessed and overwritten by malicious code. This particular vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia processing frameworks that handle untrusted content, as the Flash Player runtime must manage extensive memory operations while processing potentially malicious input from web browsers and other applications. The vulnerability's exploitation capabilities align with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1031 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise entire systems through browser-based attacks. This vulnerability was particularly dangerous because Flash Player was widely installed across corporate and consumer environments, making it an attractive target for exploit development. The attack surface was broad due to Flash Player's integration with web browsers and its widespread use in enterprise environments, where users might not have the latest security patches installed. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams across different platforms meant that organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management strategies to protect their systems. Security researchers noted that exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to full system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within affected networks.
Organizations facing this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment and implement additional security controls to mitigate exploitation risks. The recommended mitigation strategy includes updating Adobe Flash Player to the latest versions that contain fixes for this use-after-free vulnerability, with specific attention to the version ranges mentioned in the CVE description. Network security measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help reduce exposure by blocking malicious Flash content before it reaches vulnerable systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing browser sandboxing technologies and restricting Flash Player usage to trusted sites only, as part of a defense-in-depth approach. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping multimedia plugins updated, as these components often represent significant security attack surfaces in enterprise environments. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement proper incident response procedures to handle potential exploitation attempts.