CVE-2016-7890 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Flash Player versions 23.0.0.207 and earlier, 11.2.202.644 and earlier have security bypass vulnerability in the implementation of the same origin policy.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
Adobe Flash Player contains a critical security bypass vulnerability that undermines the fundamental same origin policy implementation within web browsers. This vulnerability affects versions 23.0.0.207 and earlier, as well as 11.2.202.644 and earlier, creating a significant risk for users who interact with malicious web content. The flaw allows attackers to circumvent the browser's security restrictions that normally prevent web pages from accessing resources on different domains, effectively breaking down the isolation mechanisms that protect user data and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of cross-domain requests within Flash Player's security model. When Flash Player processes content from different origins, it fails to properly validate or enforce the same origin policy that browsers typically enforce. This weakness enables malicious actors to craft attacks that can access sensitive data, perform unauthorized operations, or manipulate resources that should remain isolated. The vulnerability manifests when Flash Player incorrectly permits cross-domain communication without proper authorization checks, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the trust relationships established between web applications and user browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this bypass to execute cross-site scripting attacks, access user credentials stored in browser memory, or manipulate web applications that rely on Flash Player for functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized data exfiltration, session hijacking, and privilege escalation within the user's browser environment. This security flaw particularly affects enterprise users and organizations that depend on Flash Player for business-critical applications, as it creates persistent attack vectors that can be exploited across multiple systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including disabling Flash Player in all browsers, applying the latest security patches from Adobe, and implementing network-level restrictions that prevent Flash content from executing in high-risk environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for abuse of Flash Player in malicious content delivery. Security teams must also monitor for suspicious Flash-based network activity and implement comprehensive endpoint detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that all Flash Player installations have been properly updated and that legacy Flash content has been removed from organizational systems to prevent continued exposure to this vulnerability.