CVE-2016-7861 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 23.0.0.205 and earlier, 11.2.202.643 and earlier have an exploitable type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
Adobe Flash Player contains a critical type confusion vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 23.0.0.205 and earlier, as well as 11.2.202.643 and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the player's handling of object types during runtime execution, specifically when processing certain data structures that are improperly validated or cast. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly distinguish between different data types, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory layouts and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. The vulnerability is classified as a type confusion issue under CWE-466, which represents a significant weakness in the software's type safety mechanisms and memory management protocols.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically occurs through maliciously crafted flash content delivered via web browsers or other applications that utilize Flash Player as a plugin. Attackers can leverage the type confusion to overwrite memory locations, manipulate object pointers, and ultimately achieve arbitrary code execution on the target system. This represents a severe security risk since Flash Player runs with the privileges of the user, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread deployment of Flash Player across various operating systems and applications, making it an attractive target for mass exploitation campaigns.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader security implications including data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations that continue to support legacy Flash content face heightened risk exposure, particularly in environments where Flash Player remains enabled despite known security issues. The vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in Adobe's memory management practices and input validation mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability within the context of broader attack surface management and application lifecycle security practices.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Flash Player versions to prevent exploitation, alongside comprehensive security monitoring for suspicious Flash-related activity. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit Flash Player's access to sensitive systems and consider disabling Flash Player entirely in production environments where possible. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, deploying sandboxing technologies, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application security controls to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.