CVE-2016-4154 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
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 • 10/05/2024
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 while the exact technical flaw remains undisclosed, the presence of such a weakness in the widely deployed Flash Player component poses significant security risks to users of these browsers. The vulnerability's impact and attack vectors remain unknown, which complicates the assessment of potential exploitation scenarios and the development of targeted defensive measures.
The technical flaw resides within the Flash Player runtime environment that Microsoft browsers utilize for rendering Flash content, creating a complex attack surface that spans multiple browser versions and operating systems. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how third-party components integrated into browser ecosystems can introduce security risks that may not be immediately apparent or fully understood. The Flash Player component operates with elevated privileges within the browser context, which means that exploitation of this unspecified vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This presents a serious concern given Flash Player's widespread use and its integration into browser security models.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation potential to encompass broader security implications for enterprise environments and individual users. Organizations that rely on legacy Internet Explorer versions or continue to support Flash content face heightened risk exposure, particularly in environments where browser security is critical. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer 10 and 11, along with Microsoft Edge, indicates a comprehensive scope that affects multiple browser generations. This cross-browser impact suggests that attackers may leverage the vulnerability across different Microsoft browser platforms, potentially enabling more sophisticated attack campaigns. The unspecified nature of the flaw also means that security teams must maintain heightened vigilance and cannot rely on specific exploit patterns or signatures for detection.
Mitigation strategies for this unspecified vulnerability require a multi-layered approach that addresses both the immediate threat and long-term security posture. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest Flash Player versions or migrating away from Flash-based content entirely, as this represents the most effective defense against unknown vulnerabilities. Browser administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as Flash Player sandboxing, content filtering, and network-based protections to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues in software components, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving exploitation of browser vulnerabilities and privilege escalation. Security monitoring should focus on unusual Flash Player behavior and unexpected code execution patterns, while incident response procedures must account for the unpredictable nature of the vulnerability's exploitation methods. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should specifically target Flash Player installations to identify affected systems and ensure proper patch management processes are in place.