CVE-2016-4274 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.375 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.162 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.635 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4275, CVE-2016-4276, CVE-2016-4280, CVE-2016-4281, CVE-2016-4282, CVE-2016-4283, CVE-2016-4284, CVE-2016-4285, CVE-2016-6922, and CVE-2016-6924.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.375 for Windows and OS X, and versions 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.162 for the same platforms, along with versions before 11.2.202.635 on Linux, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability type, representing out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifested through unspecified attack vectors that differed from several other related vulnerabilities in the same advisory cycle, indicating a distinct code path or memory handling mechanism within the Flash Player runtime environment. The vulnerability specifically targeted the player's handling of multimedia content and scripting operations, where improper memory management allowed attackers to manipulate heap memory structures and potentially overwrite critical program execution pointers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction, making it a prime target for zero-day exploits in the wild. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script-based attacks that leverage memory corruption to execute malicious payloads. The affected versions represent a broad range of Flash Player releases that were widely distributed and used across enterprise environments, creating significant exposure for organizations that had not yet updated their systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to advanced persistent threat actors who seek to establish persistent access to target networks through web-based attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within Flash Player's multimedia processing components. When parsing certain multimedia content or handling specific scripting operations, the player failed to properly validate memory access boundaries, leading to situations where attacker-controlled data could overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation or improper handling of dynamic memory allocation operations within the player's runtime engine. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of malicious content that can trigger the specific memory access pattern that leads to code execution, making it a sophisticated attack vector that demands both technical expertise and deep understanding of the Flash Player's internal architecture. The fact that this vulnerability affected multiple version ranges indicates a fundamental flaw in the player's memory management subsystem that persisted across several release cycles, suggesting either inadequate testing procedures or a complex interaction between different code modules that was not properly addressed during development. Organizations running these vulnerable versions faced significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently visited untrusted websites or received malicious content through email attachments or other web-based delivery mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability needed to implement immediate remediation measures to protect their systems from potential exploitation. The primary mitigation strategy involved deploying the patched versions of Adobe Flash Player as soon as possible, with the specific version numbers providing clear guidance on which releases contained the necessary security fixes. System administrators should have prioritized updating Flash Player across all endpoints, particularly those with high-risk exposure such as web servers, email gateways, and user workstations that frequently accessed the internet. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution made it a critical priority for security teams, requiring immediate attention in incident response procedures and vulnerability management workflows. Additional mitigations included implementing browser security policies that restricted Flash Player usage, such as disabling Flash content in web browsers or configuring content filters to block known malicious Flash content. Network-based protections could have included implementing web proxies with content filtering capabilities that could detect and block malicious Flash content before it reached end-user systems. The vulnerability's relationship to other security issues in the same advisory cycle highlights the importance of comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address multiple related flaws simultaneously. Security teams needed to understand that this vulnerability was part of a broader pattern of memory corruption issues affecting Flash Player, requiring them to monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other Adobe products and related software components. The remediation process also required careful testing of patched versions to ensure that security updates did not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or content that relied on Flash Player functionality.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate security concerns to highlight fundamental issues with legacy software support and the risks associated with continued use of deprecated technologies. Adobe Flash Player had been a widely deployed technology across numerous platforms, making vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-4274 particularly impactful due to the large attack surface they created. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple version ranges demonstrates the challenges of maintaining security in complex software ecosystems where multiple code paths and legacy components can interact in unpredictable ways. This case study reinforces the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with maintaining outdated software components in enterprise environments. The vulnerability also illustrates the importance of understanding attack patterns and threat actor behavior, as similar memory corruption vulnerabilities often indicate a broader attack strategy targeting specific software platforms. Organizations needed to develop comprehensive strategies for managing legacy software dependencies and transitioning away from technologies that no longer receive security support, as the continued use of vulnerable software creates ongoing exposure to attacks that can be easily automated and widely distributed. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with common attack patterns documented in threat intelligence reports, where attackers increasingly focus on exploiting these types of fundamental runtime flaws that provide direct access to system execution control.