CVE-2016-4114 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 • 10/16/2024
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 from other vulnerabilities documented in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-064. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability means that the exact technical flaw remains undetermined, though it represents a significant security concern given the widespread use of Flash Player in web browsing environments. The vulnerability's impact and attack vectors remain unknown, which complicates the assessment of risk and development of targeted defenses. This issue specifically impacts the integration of Adobe Flash Player components within Microsoft's browser ecosystem, where Flash content is executed through the browser's rendering engine. The vulnerability represents a critical concern for enterprise environments where legacy Flash content may still be present, as attackers could potentially exploit this unspecified flaw to execute arbitrary code or perform other malicious activities. The security implications extend beyond simple browser compatibility issues, as Flash Player has historically been a prime target for exploitation due to its complex architecture and frequent security vulnerabilities. The lack of specific details about the vulnerability's nature makes it particularly dangerous, as defenders cannot implement specific mitigations or patches until the precise technical flaw is identified and documented.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability would likely involve manipulating Flash Player's handling of specific content or memory structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation or remote code execution within the context of the browser. This type of vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under techniques related to exploitation of software vulnerabilities and execution through web browsers. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog would likely categorize this issue under weakness categories related to input validation, memory corruption, or software library vulnerabilities. Given that Flash Player operates in a sandboxed environment within browsers, exploitation of such a vulnerability could potentially bypass traditional security controls and provide attackers with elevated privileges. The integration of Flash Player libraries into Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer creates a complex attack surface where malicious actors could leverage this unspecified weakness to compromise user systems. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy Internet Explorer versions and the newer Edge browser demonstrates the persistence of Flash-related security issues across Microsoft's browser portfolio.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate disabling of Flash Player functionality in affected browsers, as well as regular monitoring for security updates from Adobe and Microsoft. The vulnerability's unspecified nature necessitates a proactive approach to security management, including network segmentation, web application firewalls, and enhanced monitoring of browser-related network traffic. Security teams should consider implementing browser hardening measures that restrict Flash content execution, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy applications may still require Flash support. The lack of specific attack vector information makes it crucial to maintain up-to-date threat intelligence and to implement layered security controls. Regular security assessments should focus on identifying and removing Flash content from web applications, as well as ensuring that all systems are running patched versions of browsers and Flash Player components. Given the historical prevalence of Flash-related vulnerabilities, organizations should consider transitioning away from Flash-based content entirely and implementing modern web standards that do not rely on potentially insecure third-party plugins. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining updated security practices and the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to be supported despite known security concerns.