CVE-2016-4173 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.632 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4174, CVE-2016-4222, CVE-2016-4226, CVE-2016-4227, CVE-2016-4228, CVE-2016-4229, CVE-2016-4230, CVE-2016-4231, and CVE-2016-4248.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The CVE-2016-4173 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player that affected multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacted Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209 on Windows and OS X platforms, while also affecting versions before 11.2.202.632 on Linux systems. The flaw falls under the CWE-416 category of use-after-free vulnerabilities, which occur when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors. This particular vulnerability operates within the broader context of Adobe's multimedia runtime environment where Flash Player serves as a critical component for executing rich internet applications and multimedia content across web browsers and desktop applications.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through unspecified attack vectors that were distinct from several other related vulnerabilities including CVE-2016-4174, CVE-2016-4222, and others in the same vulnerability family. The nature of use-after-free conditions makes these exploits particularly dangerous as they can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution without requiring user interaction in many scenarios. Attackers typically exploit such vulnerabilities by carefully crafting malicious Flash content that triggers the memory management error, allowing them to overwrite critical memory locations with malicious code payloads. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Flash Player versions across different operating systems demonstrates the widespread impact potential, as it affected both Windows and OS X platforms with different version ranges compared to Linux implementations, highlighting the cross-platform nature of the threat.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4173 extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on Flash Player for web content delivery. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges within affected environments. Given that Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise networks and consumer systems, the potential for widespread exploitation was considerable. Security researchers have documented that such use-after-free vulnerabilities often serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attack campaigns, particularly in targeted attacks where adversaries leverage these flaws to gain a foothold before pursuing more extensive objectives. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving exploit development and privilege escalation, as the initial exploitation typically requires achieving code execution followed by further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4173 primarily focus on immediate remediation through patch management and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Adobe Flash Player, specifically versions 18.0.0.366, 22.0.0.209, and 11.2.202.632 respectively for each affected platform. Beyond patching, security teams should implement network-based controls such as disabling Flash content execution in web browsers, deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious Flash content, and implementing browser sandboxing mechanisms that limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns and anomalous system behavior can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common exploitation patterns documented in security frameworks, where use-after-free conditions are frequently exploited through crafted web content that triggers memory corruption during Flash Player's content rendering process, making comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies essential for protecting against such threats.