CVE-2016-6924 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-2016-4274, CVE-2016-4275, CVE-2016-4276, CVE-2016-4280, CVE-2016-4281, CVE-2016-4282, CVE-2016-4283, CVE-2016-4284, CVE-2016-4285, and CVE-2016-6922.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2024
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.375 on Windows and OS X and versions 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.162 on the same platforms as well as versions before 11.2.202.635 on Linux contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from several other CVEs in the same year, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4274 through CVE-2016-4285 and CVE-2016-6922, which indicates it operates through different attack vectors and exploitation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Flash Player runtime environment, where insufficient bounds checking or memory management controls allow attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted malicious content delivered via web browsers or other Flash-enabled applications. This flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious Flash content that triggers memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player versions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers can manipulate heap or stack memory regions, causing unpredictable behavior that can be exploited to overwrite critical program execution pointers or inject malicious code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise user systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise environments where Flash Player was widely deployed across organizational networks. The vulnerability affects multiple operating system platforms including Windows, OS X, and Linux, making it a cross-platform threat that requires comprehensive patch management across all affected systems. Organizations utilizing Flash Player for business-critical applications, training materials, or web-based services faced significant risk exposure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as attackers could execute arbitrary commands through the compromised Flash Player process.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patch deployment to update Flash Player to versions 18.0.0.375 or later on Windows and OS X, 23.0.0.162 or later on the same platforms, and 11.2.202.635 or later on Linux. System administrators should also implement browser security measures including disabling Flash Player content entirely, as the vulnerability demonstrates the high risk associated with Flash-based content. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit exposure, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious Flash content, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures for handling Flash-related security incidents. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and the risks associated with legacy software components that continue to receive support beyond their recommended lifecycle.