CVE-2016-4236 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-2016-4189, 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-2016-4237, 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 • 10/04/2024
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 represented a distinct threat vector from numerous other CVEs affecting the same product line during the same timeframe, indicating a complex attack surface within the Flash Player runtime environment. The unspecified attack vectors likely involved memory manipulation techniques that could be exploited through crafted malicious content delivered via web browsers or other Flash-enabled applications. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with common exploit patterns targeting runtime environments where improper memory management can lead to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient bounds checking or improper handling of memory allocations within the Flash Player's ActionScript interpreter or native code components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability would likely involve manipulating memory structures through malformed Flash content or malicious web pages that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns. Attackers could leverage these flaws to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability places it within the scope of common software security weaknesses catalogued under CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. These memory-related flaws often map to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers typically seek to leverage such vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple exploitation scenarios to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on Flash Player for content delivery. End users running affected versions faced potential compromise through routine web browsing activities, particularly when visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments containing Flash content. The widespread deployment of Flash Player across both enterprise and consumer environments amplified the potential attack surface, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. Organizations that had not yet migrated away from Flash-based applications found themselves vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that could bypass traditional security controls. The vulnerability's presence across multiple version lines and operating systems required comprehensive patch management strategies, as the risk extended across both Windows and macOS platforms, with Linux-specific versions also affected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, as the memory corruption nature of the flaw made it particularly dangerous for prolonged exposure. Security teams needed to implement network-based controls to block Flash content delivery where possible, though this approach was less effective given Flash Player's integration with web browsers and operating systems. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes. Organizations should have conducted thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running affected Flash Player versions and prioritized patching based on risk exposure. Additionally, the vulnerability underscored the need for alternative content delivery mechanisms, as Flash Player's security track record demonstrated the risks associated with legacy runtime environments. The remediation process also required verification that patches were properly applied and that no residual vulnerabilities remained in the system configuration.