CVE-2016-4189 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-2016-4188, 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 code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat vector from several other CVEs published in the same advisory cycle, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4172 through CVE-2016-4246, indicating a unique exploitation pathway that required separate remediation efforts. The flaw manifested through unspecified attack vectors that could be triggered when Flash Player processed maliciously crafted content, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that attackers could leverage for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that enable privilege escalation and code execution. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability posed significant risk to organizations since Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise environments and web browsers, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to networked systems. The memory corruption nature of the flaw meant that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which typically ran with elevated permissions. This vulnerability was particularly concerning because it could be exploited through web-based attacks, requiring no local interaction from users beyond visiting compromised websites or opening malicious documents containing Flash content. The attack surface was broad, encompassing various Flash Player versions across multiple operating systems, including Windows and macOS platforms, where the vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security controls such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability occurred during Flash Player's handling of specific multimedia content structures, where improper bounds checking allowed attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute arbitrary instructions. The exploitability characteristics of this vulnerability placed it within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical threat that required immediate patching across all affected systems. Organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of this vulnerability, as the attack surface extended beyond individual systems to include web applications, email gateways, and other networked services that might deliver malicious Flash content. The vulnerability's potential for denial of service attacks meant that even unsuccessful exploitation attempts could render systems unstable or cause service interruptions, making it a dual threat that required both preventive and reactive security measures to address effectively.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within Adobe Flash Player's core processing engine. Attackers could craft malicious Flash content that would trigger memory corruption when processed by the affected versions of the player, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption that could be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation required careful manipulation of Flash's multimedia processing routines, where buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions could occur when handling malformed data structures. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability was particularly challenging to detect and prevent since it occurred at the binary processing level within the Flash Player runtime environment, making traditional network-based intrusion detection systems less effective at identifying exploitation attempts. The memory corruption patterns observed in this vulnerability were consistent with typical exploitation techniques used in advanced persistent threat campaigns, where attackers would utilize such flaws to establish footholds within target networks. The vulnerability's impact was amplified by Flash Player's widespread deployment across both enterprise and consumer environments, where the software was often installed with high privileges and had extensive access to system resources. This made the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited in zero-day attack scenarios where defenders had no prior knowledge or signature-based detection mechanisms to identify malicious activity. The remediation efforts required organizations to implement immediate patch deployment across all affected Flash Player installations, including both the standalone player and browser plugins, as well as monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts in system logs and network traffic. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue placed it within the broader context of cybersecurity threats that target runtime environments and application frameworks, requiring organizations to maintain comprehensive application security practices and regular vulnerability assessments. Organizations that failed to address this vulnerability in a timely manner risked exposure to sophisticated attack campaigns that could leverage the flaw for data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of critical business operations. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Flash Player versions and operating systems highlighted the need for comprehensive security management practices that extended beyond individual software patches to include broader application lifecycle management and security monitoring strategies.