CVE-2016-4244 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-2016-4239, CVE-2016-4240, CVE-2016-4241, CVE-2016-4242, CVE-2016-4243, 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 in the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4172 through CVE-2016-4246, indicating a separate code path or memory handling mechanism. The flaw manifested in unspecified attack vectors that could be exploited by remote attackers 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 memory corruption patterns typically classified under CWE-121, which encompasses heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues. Attackers could leverage this weakness through carefully crafted Flash content delivered via web browsers or other applications that embed Flash Player functionality. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple exploitation to include potential denial of service scenarios where system resources could be exhausted or corrupted, rendering the affected systems unstable or completely non-functional. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because Flash Player was widely deployed across enterprise environments, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking broad system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4244 was substantial given Flash Player's pervasive use in web applications, corporate networks, and end-user systems. Organizations running vulnerable versions faced significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise when users visited malicious websites or opened compromised Flash content. The vulnerability's exploitation required no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability could be weaponized using techniques consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) tactics, where attackers would leverage the memory corruption to execute malicious payloads. The attack surface was particularly large due to Flash Player's integration with multiple web browsers and applications, creating numerous potential entry points for exploitation.
Organizations should have immediately applied patches released by Adobe to address this vulnerability, specifically updating to Flash Player versions 18.0.0.366, 22.0.0.209, or 11.2.202.632 depending on their platform. System administrators needed to implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all vulnerable systems were updated promptly, as the vulnerability could be exploited through zero-day attacks before public disclosure. Additional mitigations included implementing browser security controls such as disabling Flash Player entirely, using sandboxing technologies, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining current security patches and the risks associated with running deprecated software components, as Flash Player's end-of-life status made continued support increasingly difficult to maintain. Organizations should have also considered alternative content delivery mechanisms to reduce dependency on Flash Player and mitigate similar risks from other legacy technologies.