CVE-2016-7864 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 use-after-free 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 use-after-free vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 23.0.0.205 and earlier, as well as 11.2.202.643 and earlier releases. This vulnerability arises from improper memory management where freed memory blocks are still being referenced by subsequent operations, creating a exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors. The flaw occurs within the player's handling of multimedia content and object management systems, specifically when processing certain Flash files that trigger the memory corruption scenario. The vulnerability is categorized as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, which represents a well-known class of memory safety issues that have historically led to severe exploitation outcomes. Attackers can craft malicious Flash content that, when executed by an affected Flash Player, causes the application to free memory resources while still maintaining references to them, ultimately allowing for arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a significant threat vector in targeted attacks and mass deployment scenarios. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process, which typically runs with the same permissions as the user. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning due to Flash Player's widespread deployment across enterprise networks and end-user systems, making it an attractive target for threat actors. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that Flash content is often embedded in web pages, email attachments, and various other media formats, providing multiple vectors for initial compromise. This aligns with tactics observed in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to establish footholds within target environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Flash Player installations, as Adobe has released security updates addressing the specific memory management flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect attempts to load malicious Flash content and establish strict controls over Flash Player usage through group policies and browser configurations. The recommended approach includes disabling Flash Player entirely in web browsers and applications where it is not strictly required, as the risk profile of Flash Player has significantly increased over time due to its extensive exploitation history. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Flash content and deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious Flash content patterns. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities across the enterprise infrastructure, as this class of issue has been consistently exploited in the cybersecurity landscape and represents a persistent threat to organizational security postures.