CVE-2016-4222 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4173, CVE-2016-4174, CVE-2016-4226, CVE-2016-4227, CVE-2016-4228, CVE-2016-4229, CVE-2016-4230, CVE-2016-4231, and CVE-2016-4248.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The CVE-2016-4222 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player that affected multiple version ranges across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacted Windows and macOS versions prior to 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209, alongside Linux versions before 11.2.202.632. The flaw stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment, creating conditions where freed memory blocks could be accessed and potentially exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from several other related CVEs in the same timeframe, indicating a unique exploitation pathway that requires specific conditions to be successfully leveraged.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability places it squarely within the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-416, which specifically addresses "Use After Free" conditions in software systems. This weakness occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating potential for arbitrary code execution through memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires attackers to craft specific payloads that can manipulate the Flash Player's memory management system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector typically involves delivering malicious Flash content through web browsers or other applications that utilize Flash Player, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments and individual users alike, as Flash Player was widely deployed across various platforms and applications. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, and access sensitive data. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams across different operating systems means that organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management strategies across their entire infrastructure. Security teams had to consider the complexity of tracking and updating Flash Player installations across diverse platforms, particularly given the widespread use of Flash content in web applications and multimedia presentations.
Organizations defending against CVE-2016-4222 should have implemented immediate patching procedures to address the specific Flash Player versions affected by this vulnerability. The recommended mitigations included updating to patched versions of Adobe Flash Player, implementing network-based controls to block Flash content delivery, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems. Security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK could have been utilized to map the exploitation techniques and develop appropriate defensive measures, particularly focusing on the privilege escalation and code execution phases of the attack lifecycle. Additionally, organizations needed to consider the broader implications of Flash Player deprecation, as this vulnerability highlighted the inherent security risks associated with legacy multimedia platforms that were increasingly difficult to maintain securely.