External risk intelligence

Adobe Flash Player and AIR Code Execution Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2016-0984

This vulnerability affects Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR, which are client-side browser plugins or runtime environments. These components are installed on end-user endpoints rather than functioning as network-accessible services, gateways, or appliances, and require user interaction via web content to be triggered.

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR contain a use-after-free vulnerability. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The potential impact includes unauthorized code execution, leading to compromised systems and potential data breaches for organizations.

  • Vulnerable Adobe Flash Player and AIR
  • Use-after-free memory corruption
  • Arbitrary code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR. An attacker could craft malicious content that, when accessed by an unsuspecting user, triggers the vulnerability. This could lead to the compromise of the user's system, allowing the attacker to gain unauthorized control and potentially access sensitive data.

  • Exposure via malicious content.
  • Attacker executes code remotely.
  • Compromises system and data.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. Attackers could exploit this by sending specially crafted content to a user, potentially leading to the compromise of systems and data. Given the age of the affected software and its end-of-life status, organizations should prioritize ensuring these products are no longer in use.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Not specified.
  • Required access or conditions: User interaction with malicious content.
  • Business risk or urgency: High, as affected products are end-of-life.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player and AIR could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. Organizations should prioritize identifying and mitigating this risk to prevent potential business disruption and protect sensitive data.

  • Identify all systems with affected software.
  • Remove or isolate vulnerable software.
  • Verify updates and monitor for incidents.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-0984 and what software does it affect?

CVE-2016-0984 is a use-after-free vulnerability affecting Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR. Specific versions include Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.329 and 19.x/20.x before 20.0.0.306 on Windows/OS X, and before 11.2.202.569 on Linux. It also affects Adobe AIR, SDK, and SDK & Compiler before version 20.0.0.260.

What kind of weakness does CVE-2016-0984 represent?

CVE-2016-0984 is a use-after-free vulnerability. This occurs when a program attempts to access memory after it has been deallocated or freed, potentially leading to memory corruption, crashes, or arbitrary code execution.

How can CVE-2016-0984 be triggered?

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using unspecified vectors, which typically involves tricking a user into interacting with specially crafted content. This interaction can then trigger the use-after-free flaw, allowing for code execution.

Why is CVE-2016-0984 relevant to organizations?

The Halo Surface Signal indicates this vulnerability is 'Very unlikely' to be exploited in a way that poses a significant risk to organizations because it affects end-of-life client-side software requiring user interaction. However, the potential for arbitrary code execution means that any remaining instances of affected software could lead to system compromise.

What is the recommended response to CVE-2016-0984?

Given that Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR are end-of-life technologies, the primary recommendation is to ensure these products are no longer in use. Organizations should identify and remove any instances of the vulnerable software to mitigate the risk.

References