CVE-2016-4226 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
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-2016-4222, 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 • 12/19/2024
The CVE-2016-4226 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 prior to 22.0.0.209, as well as 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 locations could be accessed and potentially exploited by malicious actors. Such vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions that occur when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through unspecified attack vectors that differ from several other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe. This use-after-free condition typically occurs when the Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or web elements that trigger memory allocation and deallocation sequences. When the application fails to properly manage these memory operations, an attacker can manipulate the execution flow by controlling the freed memory location, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats.
The operational implications of CVE-2016-4226 are significant given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and user systems. Organizations relying on Flash-based applications, web content, and multimedia presentations faced elevated risk of exploitation, particularly in environments where users encountered malicious web content or phishing attacks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges across different platforms meant that comprehensive patch management became critical for security teams. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack tree model where use-after-free conditions serve as common entry points for privilege escalation attacks and remote code execution scenarios.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in software development, particularly for runtime environments that process untrusted content. The flaw's classification under CWE-416 highlights the need for robust memory safety testing and code review processes. Mitigation strategies include immediate patch deployment to update Flash Player to versions beyond the vulnerable ranges, implementation of network-based protections such as web application firewalls, and consideration of disabling Flash Player entirely in enterprise environments where it is not strictly required. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the broader security challenges associated with legacy software components and the necessity of maintaining comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both current and historical security issues.