CVE-2016-6925 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4272, CVE-2016-4279, CVE-2016-6921, CVE-2016-6923, CVE-2016-6926, CVE-2016-6927, CVE-2016-6929, CVE-2016-6930, CVE-2016-6931, and CVE-2016-6932.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2024
The CVE-2016-6925 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player that affected multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability resides in the memory management mechanisms of the Flash Player runtime environment, specifically in how it handles object references and memory deallocation processes. The flaw manifests when the player encounters certain malformed or crafted content that triggers improper memory handling during object lifecycle management. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to manipulate memory states in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution, making it a prime target for exploitation in zero-day attack campaigns.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from the improper handling of object references within Flash Player's memory management system. When the player processes certain media or script elements, it may free memory associated with an object while still maintaining references to that memory location. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious content that forces the player to execute specific memory operations that result in the reuse of freed memory blocks. This creates opportunities for code injection where malicious payloads can be loaded into the freed memory space and subsequently executed with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability operates at a low level within the runtime environment, making detection and prevention particularly challenging for traditional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6925 extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass significant risks for enterprise environments and individual users alike. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to complete compromise of user machines. The widespread adoption of Adobe Flash Player across various platforms and applications meant that this vulnerability had broad reach, affecting not only web browsers but also desktop applications that embedded Flash content. The vulnerability's presence in both Windows and OS X environments, along with its Linux variant, demonstrated the cross-platform nature of the threat. Security researchers noted that this vulnerability could be particularly effective in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios, where users would unknowingly trigger the exploit through normal web browsing activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6925 primarily focus on immediate patching and runtime protection measures. Adobe released security updates that addressed the memory management issues in versions 18.0.0.375 and 23.0.0.162 for affected platforms, requiring users to upgrade to these patched versions. Organizations implementing security controls should consider disabling Flash Player entirely where possible, given its history of vulnerabilities and the availability of modern web standards. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious Flash content, though these measures are not foolproof against sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations, and represents a common vector for exploitation in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing exploit prevention technologies and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.