CVE-2016-4130 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 represents a distinct security flaw separate from other issues documented in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-083, indicating that the threat model differs from previously identified Flash-related exploits. The vulnerability exists within the Adobe Flash libraries that are integrated into Microsoft's browser environments, creating a potential attack surface that combines the complexities of both Adobe's multimedia framework and Microsoft's browser security implementations. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that security researchers had not yet fully characterized the vulnerability's behavior or the specific conditions under which exploitation might occur.
The technical implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple code execution or privilege escalation scenarios. Given that Flash Player operates within the browser context and interacts with system resources, the flaw likely presents opportunities for remote code execution attacks that could compromise user systems. The integration of Flash libraries into Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 10/11 creates a complex attack surface where malicious actors could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, manipulate browser behavior, or access sensitive system information. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Microsoft browser versions indicates a widespread potential impact across different operating system configurations and user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on legacy browser configurations. Users running affected versions of Internet Explorer 10 and 11, or those utilizing Microsoft Edge with vulnerable Flash integration, face potential exposure to sophisticated attack campaigns. The vulnerability's classification as different from MS16-083 suggests that traditional mitigation strategies for other Flash-related issues may not be sufficient to address this specific threat. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where legacy Flash content is still actively used or where browser compatibility requirements necessitate continued support for older Flash versions. The lack of detailed information about specific attack vectors complicates incident response planning and requires organizations to implement comprehensive monitoring strategies.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through Adobe Flash Player updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation approach involves updating to Adobe Flash Player versions beyond 21.0.0.242, which would eliminate the specific vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as browser sandboxing, content filtering, and network-based protections to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's relationship to the broader Flash ecosystem means that organizations should evaluate their overall Flash usage policies and consider migrating away from Flash-based content where possible. This approach aligns with industry best practices for managing legacy software vulnerabilities and reduces the risk of exploitation through multiple attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges associated with maintaining security in complex integrated software environments where multiple vendors' components interact to create potential security risks.
This vulnerability classification aligns with common security patterns documented in CWE and ATT&CK frameworks, where unspecified but critical vulnerabilities often represent complex integration points between different software components. The attack surface analysis suggests potential mappings to CWE-119 memory safety issues and CWE-79 input validation problems, while the exploitation characteristics may align with ATT&CK techniques involving browser exploitation and privilege escalation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management strategies that account for the specific integration points between Adobe Flash and Microsoft browser environments, ensuring that all components are updated in coordination to prevent exploitation of interdependent vulnerabilities.