CVE-2016-6986 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
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 or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4273, CVE-2016-6982, CVE-2016-6983, CVE-2016-6984, CVE-2016-6985, CVE-2016-6989, and CVE-2016-6990.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2022
Adobe Flash Player versions prior to 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X platforms, along with versions before 11.2.202.637 on Linux systems, contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability represented a distinct threat vector from other related CVEs published in the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2016-4273, CVE-2016-6982, CVE-2016-6983, CVE-2016-6984, CVE-2016-6985, CVE-2016-6989, and CVE-2016-6990, which underscores the complexity and varied nature of Flash Player security flaws during this period. The memory corruption issue manifested through unspecified attack vectors that allowed malicious actors to manipulate Flash Player's memory management functions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's privileges. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and subsequent code execution. From an operational perspective, this flaw posed significant risk to enterprise environments where Flash Player remained widely deployed for multimedia content delivery, web applications, and legacy system integration. The attack surface was particularly concerning given Flash Player's ubiquitous presence across Windows and OS X platforms, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking persistent access to corporate networks. The vulnerability's potential for denial of service operations added to its threat profile, as attackers could destabilize systems through memory corruption techniques that might not require full exploitation for impact. Organizations deploying affected Flash Player versions faced substantial risk of compromise, particularly in environments where users had administrative privileges or where Flash Player was used in conjunction with other applications that could be exploited through the memory corruption. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Windows Command Shell, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. Security professionals needed to prioritize patch management for this vulnerability, as it represented a critical threat to user security and system integrity. The vulnerability's exploitation typically required social engineering to deliver malicious Flash content to unsuspecting users, leveraging the trust users placed in web browsers and multimedia applications. Organizations implementing defense-in-depth strategies needed to consider network-based controls, application whitelisting, and user education programs to mitigate the risk associated with this memory corruption vulnerability. The remediation process required careful coordination between IT teams and security operations to ensure complete patch deployment across all affected systems while minimizing disruption to business operations. This vulnerability highlighted the broader security challenges associated with legacy multimedia technologies and the critical importance of maintaining current security patches for widely deployed software components.