CVE-2016-4177 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 (stack memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4176.
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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 as well as versions before 11.2.202.632 on Linux systems contained a critical stack memory corruption vulnerability that could be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from CVE-2016-4176 and demonstrates the ongoing security challenges associated with Adobe Flash Player's runtime environment. The flaw stems from improper memory management within the player's handling of certain multimedia content, specifically manifesting during the processing of malformed or crafted input data that leads to stack-based buffer overflows. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious Flash content through web browsers or other applications that utilize Flash Player components, potentially resulting in complete system compromise through remote code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple operating systems including Windows and macOS platforms where Flash Player was installed, while Linux systems remained affected through specific version ranges. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, and represents a common attack vector that has been frequently exploited in the past due to the widespread adoption of Flash Player across enterprise and consumer environments. The memory corruption occurs when the Flash Player runtime fails to properly validate input data before processing it on the stack, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical stack memory locations and potentially redirect execution flow. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires a user to interact with malicious content, making social engineering a critical component of successful attacks. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions faced significant risk due to the broad compatibility of Flash Player across different platforms and the complex nature of the runtime environment that could be manipulated through carefully crafted malicious files. The attack surface was particularly concerning given Flash Player's integration with web browsers and its ability to execute code with the privileges of the user running the application. Mitigation strategies required immediate patching of affected versions, as well as network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block known malicious Flash content. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and demonstrated how legacy applications like Flash Player could serve as persistent attack vectors in enterprise security environments. Security practitioners should consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts, while also planning for the eventual retirement of Flash Player components due to their inherent security risks and lack of modern security features.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic" and T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" as attackers could leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary commands. The vulnerability's exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious SWF files or embedding malicious content within legitimate web pages that when viewed through vulnerable Flash Player installations would trigger the stack corruption. This creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems and potentially escalate privileges through the execution of malicious code with the same privileges as the Flash Player process. The complexity of the Flash Player runtime environment made this particular vulnerability difficult to detect through traditional security controls, requiring more sophisticated monitoring approaches. Organizations that had not yet migrated away from Flash-based content were particularly vulnerable, as the attack surface remained extensive due to the widespread deployment of these older versions across corporate networks. The vulnerability's impact was further compounded by the fact that Flash Player was often installed with elevated privileges and had access to system resources that could be leveraged for more extensive attacks. Security teams needed to implement comprehensive patch management processes specifically targeting Flash Player components while also considering the broader implications of continuing to support legacy multimedia platforms. The incident underscored the critical need for organizations to maintain robust software inventory management and to implement automated patching processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrated how complex runtime environments could introduce security risks that were difficult to fully understand or mitigate without comprehensive security assessments.