CVE-2016-4228 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-2016-4222, CVE-2016-4226, CVE-2016-4227, CVE-2016-4229, CVE-2016-4230, CVE-2016-4231, and CVE-2016-4248.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The CVE-2016-4228 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 before 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209, as well as Linux versions before 11.2.202.632. The flaw falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability's classification aligns with the broader ATT&CK technique of code injection through memory corruption, making it particularly dangerous in the context of web-based exploitation.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Flash Player's handling of specific objects or data structures. When Flash Player processes certain multimedia content or executes specific actions, it may free memory associated with an object while still maintaining references to that memory location. Attackers can exploit this by carefully crafting malicious content that triggers the vulnerable code path, causing the freed memory to be reallocated for attacker-controlled data. This reallocation allows malicious code to be executed with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's distinction from other related CVEs such as CVE-2016-4173 through CVE-2016-4248 indicates that it operates through different code paths or memory manipulation techniques, making it a unique but equally dangerous threat vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4228 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a powerful foothold for further exploitation within compromised systems. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player application, which typically runs with the same privileges as the user. This can lead to privilege escalation, persistent backdoor installation, and comprehensive system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Flash Player versions across multiple platforms made it particularly attractive to threat actors, as it provided broad exploitation potential. The attack surface was further expanded due to Flash Player's extensive use in web browsers, making it a common target for drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4228 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Flash Player installations to the latest versions, specifically targeting the patched releases mentioned in the CVE description. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block Flash content where possible, as this represents a fundamental approach to reducing exposure. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through web-based attack vectors, so browser security configurations should include disabling Flash content by default and implementing strict content security policies. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the use-after-free pattern often manifests in specific memory corruption signatures that can be detected through behavioral analysis. The remediation approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on patch management and application whitelisting as primary defensive measures against memory corruption vulnerabilities.