CVE-2016-6992 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 by leveraging an unspecified "type confusion."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2019
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 as well as versions before 11.2.202.637 on Linux systems contained a critical type confusion vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object types during runtime operations, specifically when Flash Player processes multimedia content that includes maliciously crafted data structures. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory operations by exploiting a type confusion condition where the player incorrectly interprets the data type of an object, leading to unexpected behavior during memory access operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Flash Player encounters malformed content that triggers a type confusion scenario in its underlying memory management system. This condition typically arises when the player attempts to perform operations on objects that have been improperly typed or when it fails to properly validate the expected data types during runtime execution. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, though more specifically relates to type confusion patterns that enable arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed flash content that, when loaded by the vulnerable player, causes the application to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the Flash Player.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple operating systems and Flash Player versions, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Windows and OS X users were at risk from versions before 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185, while Linux users faced exposure in versions prior to 11.2.202.637. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as Flash content often contains JavaScript elements that can be leveraged for exploitation. The attack surface is significantly broadened because Flash Player was widely installed across enterprise environments and consumer systems, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking persistent access to systems.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to the patched versions of Adobe Flash Player, as the vendor released security updates specifically addressing this type confusion issue. The patch addresses the underlying memory management flaw by implementing proper type validation and ensuring that objects maintain consistent types throughout their lifecycle within the Flash Player runtime. Additionally, security administrators should consider implementing network-level controls to block malicious flash content, as well as monitoring for suspicious Flash Player activity. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions and ensuring that all Flash Player installations are updated to the latest secure versions. Given the nature of this vulnerability, which enables arbitrary code execution, immediate action is essential to prevent potential compromise of affected systems.