CVE-2016-4108 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 • 12/13/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions 21.0.0.213 and earlier contain an unspecified vulnerability that affects Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 as well as Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability exists within the Adobe Flash libraries that are integrated into these browser environments, creating a potential attack surface that differs significantly from other vulnerabilities addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-064. The unspecified nature of this vulnerability means that while the exact technical flaw remains undisclosed, it represents a critical security gap that could enable malicious actors to exploit the Flash Player functionality within these browser contexts. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy Internet Explorer versions and the newer Microsoft Edge browser demonstrates the widespread impact across different browser architectures and their respective Flash Player implementations.
The technical implications of this vulnerability stem from the integration of Adobe Flash Player within Microsoft's browser ecosystems, where the Flash Player components operate with elevated privileges and access to system resources. This integration creates a complex attack surface where malicious actors could potentially leverage the Flash Player's capabilities to execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, or perform unauthorized operations within the browser environment. The vulnerability's classification as different from other CVEs in MS16-064 suggests it operates through distinct exploitation mechanisms or targets different system components within the browser infrastructure. This distinction indicates that traditional mitigation approaches for similar vulnerabilities may not be sufficient to address this specific threat vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation to potentially compromise entire user systems through the Flash Player's privileged execution environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or execute malicious payloads that take advantage of the Flash Player's ability to interact with system resources and network communications. The vulnerability affects both older Internet Explorer versions and Microsoft Edge, creating a broad attack surface that spans multiple browser generations and their respective security models. This cross-browser impact underscores the importance of comprehensive patch management strategies and the need for organizations to address Flash Player vulnerabilities across their entire software ecosystem.
Security professionals should approach this vulnerability with heightened caution due to its unspecified nature and the potential for sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy and modern browser environments requires organizations to implement layered security approaches including browser isolation, content filtering, and regular security assessments. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for Adobe Flash Player, browser hardening measures, and network-based protections to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing security controls that limit Flash Player functionality within browser environments and monitor for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing risks associated with legacy software components and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures across all system components. The lack of specific details about the vulnerability's attack vectors or impact levels makes this particularly challenging for security teams to properly assess risk and implement appropriate defenses.