CVE-2016-4127 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.242 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 MS16-083.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
Adobe Flash Player versions 21.0.0.242 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 MS16-083. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability means that detailed technical information about the specific flaw remains undisclosed, though it represents a significant security concern given Flash Player's widespread use and the privileged execution context it operates within. The vulnerability's impact and attack vectors remain unknown, which complicates assessment of risk levels and development of targeted defensive measures.
The technical flaw likely resides within Flash Player's handling of certain multimedia content or scripting elements that could be exploited through malicious web pages or embedded content. Given that Flash Player executes within the context of web browsers, any vulnerability in this component can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability affects not only Internet Explorer but also Microsoft Edge, indicating a broader scope of potential impact across Microsoft's browser ecosystem. This cross-browser vulnerability demonstrates how Flash Player components can create persistent security risks that extend beyond individual browser implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate exploitation possibilities to encompass long-term security implications for organizations relying on these browser versions. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to systems, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability means that defensive measures must be broadly applied, potentially including browser updates, Flash Player removal, or network-based mitigations. Organizations may need to implement additional monitoring and incident response procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this unspecified vulnerability should include immediate deployment of available patches and updates from Adobe and Microsoft, though the lack of specific vulnerability details may limit the effectiveness of certain defensive measures. Organizations should consider implementing browser hardening measures, such as disabling Flash Player entirely in web browsers, as recommended in the CWE-699 category of software security weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under initial access and execution tactics, potentially leveraging techniques such as drive-by downloads or malicious web content delivery. Network segmentation and web application firewalls may provide additional layers of protection, though the unknown attack vectors require comprehensive defensive approaches. Security teams should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging information about exploitation attempts or specific attack patterns related to this vulnerability.