CVE-2016-4116 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 represents a distinct security issue separate from other CVEs referenced in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-064, indicating that it operates through different attack vectors and mechanisms than previously documented flaws. The vulnerability exists within the Adobe Flash libraries that are integrated into Microsoft browser environments, creating a potential attack surface that leverages the Flash Player's execution environment within these browsers. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve complex exploitation techniques that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation within the affected systems. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed browser components and could be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including malicious web content, compromised websites, or phishing attacks that target the Flash Player runtime environment. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer 10 and 11 indicates it affects legacy browser versions that may still be in use within enterprise environments, creating extended attack windows for threat actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of browser-based exploitation where Flash Player components interact with the host operating system through browser interfaces. This interaction creates potential for privilege escalation attacks that could allow malicious actors to execute code with elevated privileges, particularly when users have administrative rights on their systems. The vulnerability likely involves memory corruption or improper input validation within Flash Player's processing routines that can be triggered through malformed Flash content delivered via web pages. Such vulnerabilities typically fall under CWE categories related to memory safety issues or input validation failures, representing a common attack surface for browser-based exploits that target the runtime environments of popular multimedia players. The fact that this vulnerability affects Microsoft Edge indicates it may also impact the broader Windows ecosystem through shared components or libraries that bridge between the browser and operating system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to potentially affect enterprise networks where legacy browser versions may still be in use. Organizations that have not fully migrated away from Internet Explorer 10 and 11 or have not properly updated their Flash Player installations face significant risk exposure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to targeted systems, potentially leading to data breaches, lateral movement within networks, or establishment of command and control channels. The vulnerability's presence in Microsoft Edge also means that users of this browser are at risk, particularly in environments where Edge is used alongside older Internet Explorer versions. The attack vectors for this vulnerability could include drive-by downloads, malicious advertisements, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that specifically target Flash Player vulnerabilities. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactics that involve initial access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistence within target environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through Flash Player updates and browser security measures. Organizations must ensure that all instances of Adobe Flash Player are updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability, with particular attention to legacy browser environments. Browser isolation techniques and enhanced security configurations can help reduce the attack surface, while network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions may provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments should verify that all systems have been properly patched and that legacy browser components have been either updated or removed from production environments. The vulnerability's unspecified nature suggests that organizations should implement proactive monitoring and threat hunting activities to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where legacy browser versions remain in use. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering or other delivery mechanisms.