CVE-2016-1107 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 • 08/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1107 represents a significant security flaw within Adobe Flash Player versions 21.0.0.213 and earlier, specifically affecting web browsers that integrate Adobe Flash libraries including Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 as well as Microsoft Edge. This vulnerability exists within the core Flash Player runtime environment that enables rich internet applications and multimedia content delivery across multiple platforms and browser implementations. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability classification indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, which is common for zero-day vulnerabilities that have not yet been fully analyzed by the security community. The vulnerability is distinct from other issues addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-064, suggesting it operates through different attack surfaces or exploitation techniques within the Flash Player architecture.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2016-1107 likely resides within the Flash Player's handling of specific multimedia content or scripting elements that could allow for arbitrary code execution when processing maliciously crafted Flash files. Given that Flash Player operates within browser environments and handles complex multimedia processing, the vulnerability may involve memory corruption issues, buffer overflows, or improper input validation mechanisms within the player's core components. The attack vectors remain unspecified, but typically such vulnerabilities in Flash Player environments could be triggered through malicious websites, email attachments containing Flash content, or embedded multimedia elements in web pages that automatically execute when the page loads. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer versions and Microsoft Edge indicates it affects the underlying Flash Player runtime rather than browser-specific implementations, making it particularly concerning for users who rely on Flash content across multiple Microsoft browser products.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1107 extends beyond simple exploitation potential to encompass broader security implications for enterprise and individual users who depend on Flash-enabled web content. Organizations running legacy systems that require Flash Player compatibility face elevated risk of targeted attacks that could compromise user systems and potentially lead to data breaches or lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer 10 and 11, which were still widely used in enterprise environments during 2016, meant that many organizations remained exposed to potential exploitation. The unspecified nature of the impact makes it particularly dangerous as defenders cannot adequately prepare or implement specific mitigations without understanding the exact technical mechanism. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks of maintaining legacy software components, especially those with complex runtime environments like Flash Player that have historically been targets for sophisticated attackers. The lack of detailed information about exploitation methods or specific impact areas creates challenges for security teams attempting to assess risk and implement appropriate defensive measures.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to Adobe Flash Player versions that address this vulnerability, as the unspecified nature of the flaw means that attackers could potentially develop exploits without public knowledge of the precise technical details. Security teams should implement network monitoring and content filtering measures to prevent access to potentially malicious Flash content while updating systems, and consider implementing additional layers of defense including browser sandboxing, privilege restrictions, and regular security assessments of Flash-enabled environments. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to memory safety issues, such as CWE-119 for buffer overflow or CWE-125 for out-of-bounds read, would typically apply to similar Flash Player vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could map to techniques involving initial access through malicious web content and execution of arbitrary code, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised systems. Given that Flash Player was a common vector for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploits, the presence of such vulnerabilities underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and considering alternative technologies that do not rely on deprecated software components. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for organizations to transition away from Flash-based content and implement more secure, modern web standards that do not require legacy runtime environments vulnerable to such unspecified but potentially severe security flaws.