CVE-2016-4175 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
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 or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4172, CVE-2016-4179, CVE-2016-4180, CVE-2016-4181, CVE-2016-4182, CVE-2016-4183, CVE-2016-4184, CVE-2016-4185, CVE-2016-4186, CVE-2016-4187, CVE-2016-4188, CVE-2016-4189, CVE-2016-4190, CVE-2016-4217, CVE-2016-4218, CVE-2016-4219, CVE-2016-4220, CVE-2016-4221, CVE-2016-4233, CVE-2016-4234, CVE-2016-4235, CVE-2016-4236, CVE-2016-4237, CVE-2016-4238, CVE-2016-4239, CVE-2016-4240, CVE-2016-4241, CVE-2016-4242, CVE-2016-4243, CVE-2016-4244, CVE-2016-4245, and CVE-2016-4246.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209 on Windows and OS X platforms, along with versions before 11.2.202.632 on Linux systems, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from several other CVEs published in the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4172 through CVE-2016-4246, indicating it operates through different exploit mechanisms. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that leverage memory management weaknesses within the Flash Player runtime environment, allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common precursors to memory corruption exploits. The attack surface for this vulnerability is extensive given Flash Player's widespread deployment across various platforms and applications, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently interact with web content. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks where malicious content is delivered via compromised websites or malicious email attachments that trigger Flash Player execution. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, or more critically, complete system compromise when attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Flash Player was commonly enabled by default in web browsers, creating numerous attack vectors through standard web browsing activities. Security researchers have identified that exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious Flash content that triggers specific memory access patterns, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of affected Flash Player installations, with administrators advised to disable Flash Player entirely where possible due to the persistent nature of such vulnerabilities in the runtime environment. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Flash Player installations are updated promptly, while also considering alternative technologies that do not present similar memory safety risks. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia runtime environments that handle untrusted content, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage in post-exploitation activities. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the necessity of reducing attack surfaces by disabling unnecessary software components, particularly those with known memory safety issues that persist across multiple versions of the software.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within Flash Player's ActionScript execution environment. Attackers can manipulate the Flash Player's memory allocation patterns through specially crafted SWF files that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. These conditions can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially redirecting program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The vulnerability's exploitation often requires a combination of techniques including heap spraying, return-oriented programming, or other advanced exploitation methods that leverage the specific memory layout of the Flash Player process. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple major versions of Flash Player indicates a fundamental flaw in the underlying memory management code rather than a single isolated incident. Security researchers have documented that the exploitation process typically involves multiple stages including initial code delivery, memory corruption triggering, and payload execution, with the complexity of the attack increasing with the sophistication of the target environment. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the category of advanced persistent threat (APT) targets, where attackers seek to establish long-term access through reliable exploitation methods. From a defensive standpoint, the vulnerability requires both immediate patching and long-term architectural changes including the elimination of Flash Player from enterprise environments where possible, as the software's security track record has historically been poor. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems may provide partial protection, but these solutions are not foolproof and cannot address all potential attack vectors. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of Flash Player also highlights the challenges organizations face in maintaining secure software environments when dealing with legacy applications that receive limited security updates. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of untrusted Flash content, while also monitoring for suspicious network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could gain elevated system privileges through successful exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments with administrative accounts. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the security risks associated with rich media applications that process untrusted content and the necessity of maintaining robust security practices throughout the software lifecycle.