CVE-2016-6981 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.637 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-6987.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6981 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player affecting multiple versions across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacts Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X platforms, while also affecting versions before 11.2.202.637 on Linux systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through unspecified vectors, making it a significant threat to system security and user safety.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Flash Player runtime environment. A use-after-free condition occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating a scenario where malicious code can manipulate the freed memory location to execute unintended operations. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions. The flaw exists in how Flash Player handles object references and memory deallocation, allowing attackers to craft malicious content that triggers the exploitation sequence.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6981 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve remote code execution on vulnerable systems. This capability enables malicious actors to install malware, steal sensitive data, or compromise entire systems without user interaction. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Flash Player versions across multiple platforms makes it particularly dangerous, as it affects both desktop and server environments where Flash content is commonly processed. The fact that this vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors suggests that attackers can leverage various attack surfaces within the Flash Player runtime, increasing the exploitability and reducing the predictability of defensive measures.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory updates to patched Flash Player versions, network-based filtering to block Flash content where possible, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict Flash Player execution, particularly in high-security environments where the risk of exploitation is elevated. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive network segmentation and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other software components.