CVE-2016-4239 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-2016-4236, CVE-2016-4237, CVE-2016-4238, 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, as well as 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, emphasizing the complexity and widespread nature of Flash Player security issues in 2016. The flaw manifested through unspecified attack vectors that allowed malicious actors to manipulate memory structures within the Flash Player runtime environment, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security principles where improper memory handling creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical program data or execute malicious code. Memory corruption issues typically arise from buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other improper memory management practices that can be exploited through crafted input or malformed content delivered via web browsers or other Flash-enabled applications. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the scope of CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. These weaknesses directly enable attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized system access.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability was severe given Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise networks and consumer systems. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution meant that attackers could compromise systems simply by convincing users to visit malicious websites or open compromised Flash content. This attack surface was particularly dangerous because Flash Player was commonly enabled in web browsers and integrated into numerous applications, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in both Windows and OS X platforms, along with Linux versions, demonstrated the cross-platform nature of the threat and required coordinated patching efforts across different operating system environments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability would typically involve crafting malicious Flash content or web pages designed to trigger the memory corruption condition when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player version. Attackers could leverage this capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability meant that even successful exploitation without code execution could render systems unusable through memory corruption that caused application crashes or system instability. Organizations implementing security controls needed to consider this vulnerability within their broader threat landscape, particularly when evaluating their patch management processes and browser security configurations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate deployment of patched Flash Player versions, as recommended by Adobe's security advisories. System administrators should have prioritized patching across all affected platforms, including Windows, OS X, and Linux environments, given the cross-platform nature of the vulnerability. Additional defensive measures included disabling Flash Player in web browsers where possible, implementing browser security features such as sandboxing, and monitoring network traffic for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's relationship to other Flash Player CVEs from the same period highlighted the need for comprehensive security assessments and regular updates to address the cumulative risk of multiple vulnerabilities within the same software platform. Organizations should have also considered implementing network-based security controls and endpoint detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts and prevent successful attacks from compromising their systems.