CVE-2016-4188 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-2016-4187, 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, 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 induce denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat vector from numerous other related CVEs published in the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4172 through CVE-2016-4246, which indicates the flaw operates through different exploitation mechanisms and code paths. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Flash Player runtime environment, where attackers could manipulate memory structures through crafted input or malicious content delivered via web browsers or other Flash-enabled applications. This particular memory corruption issue manifests when the Flash Player processes certain multimedia or scripting elements, leading to unpredictable memory state conditions that can be leveraged by adversaries to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns found in memory corruption flaws and can be mapped to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes. Attackers typically construct malicious Flash content or manipulate existing content to trigger the memory corruption through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors within the Flash Player's processing pipeline. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise, as successful exploitation allows attackers to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities within the context of the Flash Player application. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where Flash Player remains active, as it provides a potential pathway for attackers to escalate privileges, install malware, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Flash Player versions across different operating systems demonstrates the widespread nature of the flaw and its potential for mass exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizations relying on Flash Player for web content delivery or multimedia applications. The attack surface is broad since Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise networks and consumer environments, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the widespread presence of the vulnerable software. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service in addition to code execution means that attackers could potentially disrupt services or create persistent availability issues for affected systems. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability operates outside the scope of other CVEs mentioned in the description, suggesting that exploitation techniques differ from previously identified flaws and may require distinct detection signatures or mitigation approaches. The vulnerability's presence in both major version lines (18.x and 22.x) indicates that Adobe's development team identified memory management issues that persisted across multiple releases, requiring users to update to specific patched versions to achieve protection.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory Flash Player updates to versions 18.0.0.366, 22.0.0.209, or 11.2.202.632 respectively for each platform, as these versions contain the necessary patches to address the memory corruption vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser security controls that disable Flash Player content or restrict Flash content delivery through network firewalls and proxy servers. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070 for indicator removal, as attackers may attempt to establish persistence or cover their tracks after exploitation. Organizations should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to Flash Player exploitation, including unusual network connections, unexpected process creation, or system behavior changes that could indicate successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should specifically target Flash Player installations to ensure all systems are properly patched and that no legacy versions remain active within the network infrastructure.