CVE-2016-4132 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 • 08/24/2022
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 it operates outside the scope of previously identified attack surfaces. The vulnerability exists within the Adobe Flash libraries that are integrated into these Microsoft browser environments, creating a complex attack surface that combines elements of both Adobe's multimedia platform and Microsoft's browser infrastructure. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that this vulnerability may have multiple potential exploitation pathways or that the full scope of its capabilities was not immediately apparent during initial analysis. Such unspecified vulnerabilities often represent particularly concerning security gaps because they may enable sophisticated attacks that could be difficult to detect or defend against using conventional security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability within the Flash Player component creates potential for remote code execution or privilege escalation attacks when users interact with malicious Flash content. Flash Player's architecture allows it to execute within browser contexts, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit browser vulnerabilities. The integration of Flash libraries into Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 10/11 means that this vulnerability could be exploited through web-based attacks that leverage the browser's Flash plugin execution environment. This creates a complex attack scenario where malicious actors could potentially bypass traditional browser security controls through the Flash Player component. The vulnerability's classification as different from other CVEs in MS16-083 indicates that it operates through unique exploitation mechanisms or targets specific components of the Flash Player architecture that were not covered by previous security updates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise, potentially affecting entire enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious Flash content through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements. Organizations running older versions of Internet Explorer or Edge with outdated Flash Player components face significant risk exposure, as these browsers continue to process Flash content even when users navigate to websites that may have been compromised. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer 10 and 11 indicates that legacy browser environments remain particularly susceptible to this type of attack, as these browsers may not have received the same level of security attention as more recent versions. Additionally, the integration of Flash Player libraries into Microsoft Edge creates a continuity of risk that extends beyond traditional Internet Explorer vulnerabilities, suggesting that even modern browsers may be exposed to legacy Flash-based attack vectors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and browser configuration changes. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Flash Player to versions that address this specific vulnerability, while also considering the complete removal of Flash Player from systems where it is not absolutely required for business operations. Browser administrators should implement security policies that restrict Flash content execution or disable Flash plugins entirely, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. The vulnerability's classification as distinct from other CVEs in MS16-083 suggests that traditional patch management approaches may not fully address this threat, requiring more comprehensive security assessments. Network security controls should include monitoring for Flash-related traffic patterns and implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Flash content before it reaches end-user systems. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent unauthorized Flash Player installations, as this vulnerability often stems from outdated or unpatched Flash Player versions that remain in use within enterprise environments. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns commonly associated with cwe-119 memory safety issues and may involve techniques described in attack tactics such as privilege escalation and remote code execution within the attack framework.