CVE-2016-4139 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 version 21.0.0.242 and earlier contains an unspecified vulnerability that affects the Adobe Flash libraries integrated into Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 as well as Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw separate from other issues addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-083, indicating that it operates through different attack vectors and mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the Flash Player runtime environment that Microsoft browsers utilize to execute flash content, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to exploit the browser ecosystem. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that this vulnerability could potentially allow for remote code execution, privilege escalation, or other serious security compromises depending on how attackers might leverage the flaw.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the integration between Adobe Flash Player and Microsoft browser engines, where the Flash Player component acts as a plugin or embedded library within the browser environment. When users visit websites containing malicious Flash content, the vulnerable Flash Player component could be triggered to execute unauthorized code or manipulate browser processes. This type of vulnerability typically resides in the memory management or code execution pathways of the Flash Player runtime, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security restrictions imposed by the browser. The flaw may involve improper handling of certain Flash objects, malformed data structures, or insufficient input validation within the Flash Player interpreter that processes ActionScript code and multimedia content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation to potentially compromise entire user systems when Flash content is executed. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The integration with Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 10/11 means that this vulnerability affects a broad user base across different Windows versions, as these browsers were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerability's presence in the Flash libraries used by these browsers creates a significant attack surface since Flash content was commonly embedded in web applications, advertising networks, and legitimate business applications. Organizations relying on these browsers for daily operations face potential security breaches that could lead to data loss, system compromise, or regulatory compliance violations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Adobe Flash Player to versions that address the specific flaw, while also implementing browser security measures such as disabling Flash content or using sandboxing techniques. Organizations should consider deploying additional network security controls like web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to prevent access to potentially malicious Flash content. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to memory corruption or improper input validation aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and execution through browser plugins. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious Flash-related network traffic and implement security awareness training to reduce the risk of users inadvertently triggering malicious Flash content through social engineering or phishing attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated Flash Player installations to prevent exploitation of this and similar legacy vulnerabilities.