CVE-2016-4187 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-2016-4175, 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-2016-4188, 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 • 01/25/2023
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 memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat vector from numerous other CVEs in the same year, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4172 through CVE-2016-4246, which indicates it operates through different exploitation mechanisms. The unspecified attack vectors in this vulnerability typically involve memory corruption issues that can be triggered through malformed Flash content delivered via web browsers or other Flash Player-enabled applications. These memory corruption flaws often manifest as heap-based buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in memory safety, and represents a significant risk in environments where Flash Player remains active, as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these platforms coexist. Organizations running affected versions of Flash Player face substantial risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or conduct data exfiltration operations. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability directly map to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the Flash Player runtime environment. The severity of this vulnerability is compounded by the widespread use of Flash Player across web browsers and applications, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit legacy software components that many organizations continue to maintain despite known security risks.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2016-4187 typically requires an attacker to craft malicious Flash content that, when rendered by the vulnerable Flash Player, triggers memory corruption through improper handling of user-supplied data. This can occur during parsing of malformed SWF files, processing of embedded objects, or handling of network data within Flash Player's runtime environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, as Flash Player often runs with elevated system privileges when embedded in web browsers. The specific memory corruption mechanisms involved in this vulnerability are consistent with common patterns found in browser-based exploits, where attackers leverage heap spraying techniques or object manipulation to achieve reliable code execution. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple Flash Player versions across different platforms demonstrates the widespread nature of the underlying memory management flaw. Security researchers have noted that such memory corruption vulnerabilities often require precise exploitation conditions and may be difficult to achieve in hardened environments, but they remain particularly dangerous when combined with other exploits in multi-stage attack campaigns. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the broader category of software security flaws that can be addressed through proper input validation, memory safety improvements, and regular security updates. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a larger threat landscape that includes other Flash Player vulnerabilities from the same time period, requiring comprehensive remediation strategies rather than isolated patching approaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4187 should prioritize immediate discontinuation of Flash Player usage where possible, as Adobe officially ended support for Flash Player at the end of 2020. However, for organizations that must continue using affected versions, comprehensive patch management should be implemented immediately upon release of Adobe security updates. The vulnerability requires careful monitoring of web traffic and Flash content delivery, particularly in environments where legacy applications still rely on Flash Player functionality. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by blocking suspicious Flash content and limiting potential attack vectors. Security teams should implement regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable Flash Player installations. The remediation process should include complete removal of Flash Player from systems, as partial updates may not address all memory corruption vectors present in the affected versions. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that disable Flash Player plugins entirely, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation remains high. Incident response procedures should be updated to include specific handling of Flash Player-related vulnerabilities, as these attacks often require forensic analysis to determine the full scope of potential compromise. The vulnerability's nature as a memory corruption issue means that traditional antivirus solutions may not detect exploitation attempts, requiring more sophisticated monitoring and detection capabilities. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of Flash Player usage and the importance of maintaining updated security software across all system components.