CVE-2016-1102 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.213 and earlier, as used in the Adobe Flash libraries in Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 and Microsoft Edge, has unknown impact and attack vectors, a different vulnerability than other CVEs listed in MS16-064.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions 21.0.0.213 and earlier contain an unspecified vulnerability within the Adobe Flash libraries that are integrated into Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11, as well as Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw separate from other issues addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-064, indicating that it operates through different attack mechanisms and exploitation techniques. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability means that specific technical details regarding the exact flaw remain undisclosed, though it clearly represents a significant security concern given its presence in widely deployed browser components.
The vulnerability's impact remains unknown, which suggests that security researchers and Microsoft may not have fully characterized the potential consequences of exploitation. This uncertainty is particularly concerning given that Flash Player components are frequently targeted by cyber adversaries due to their widespread use and historical security track record. The vulnerability exists within the Flash Player library implementations that Microsoft browsers utilize, meaning that exploitation could potentially occur through web-based attacks that leverage malicious Flash content delivered via compromised websites or phishing campaigns.
The attack vectors for this vulnerability are unspecified, which means that the exact methods through which an attacker might exploit this flaw remain undetermined. However, given the context of Flash Player vulnerabilities in browser environments, typical attack vectors would likely involve drive-by downloads, malicious websites hosting compromised Flash content, or social engineering techniques that trick users into interacting with malicious Flash applications. The fact that this vulnerability exists in both Internet Explorer 10 and 11 as well as Microsoft Edge suggests it affects multiple browser rendering engines and security models, potentially broadening the scope of possible attack scenarios.
This vulnerability represents a significant concern from a cybersecurity perspective as it indicates that even after patching other related issues in MS16-064, additional security gaps remain in the Flash Player implementation within Microsoft browsers. From a threat modeling standpoint, this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation, remote code execution, or information disclosure depending on how the underlying flaw manifests. The unspecified nature of both the impact and attack vectors creates challenges for security teams attempting to assess risk and implement appropriate defensive measures.
The vulnerability's classification as unspecified aligns with certain Common Weakness Enumeration categories where the exact weakness type cannot be definitively determined without further analysis. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would likely map to techniques involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities, potentially falling under the category of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" or "Command and Control" depending on the specific attack vector and impact. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape that includes other Flash Player-related issues, though the distinct nature of this flaw suggests it requires separate analysis and remediation efforts.
Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Adobe Flash Player and Microsoft browsers to address this vulnerability, as the unspecified nature of the flaw makes it particularly dangerous. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy Internet Explorer versions and Edge browser components indicates that organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their browser deployment environments and consider implementing additional security controls such as Flash Player sandboxing, content filtering, and network-based protections to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this and related Flash Player vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex browser ecosystems where multiple software components interact, creating potential attack surfaces that may not be immediately apparent. This particular case highlights how vulnerabilities can persist across different browser implementations and versions, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive patch management programs and regular security assessments. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability also underscores the need for continuous monitoring and threat intelligence gathering to identify potential exploitation attempts and understand the evolving threat landscape surrounding Flash Player implementations in enterprise environments.