External risk intelligence

Adobe Flash Player Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2016-4117

A vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, a risk that has been actively exploited. This could lead to unauthorized system control and compromise of data for affected organizations. Adobe Flash Player is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use.

1Halo Surface Signal

Adobe Flash Player

21.0.0.226 and earlier5.06.011.413.113.212

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2016-4117

Adobe Flash Player is a client-side browser plugin or multimedia runtime. It is not a server, gateway, or network-facing service, and its attack surface is limited to the local client environment where it is installed and executed by a user.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Adobe Flash Player contains a flaw that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability was exploited in the wild. The impact of this flaw could allow attackers to gain control of affected systems.

  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Code execution flaw
  • System compromise

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted file to a target system. This could lead to the attacker gaining unauthorized control over the affected system, potentially allowing for the execution of arbitrary code. The attack path involves an exposed system, an attacker with initial access, and a specific action that triggers the exploit. This could result in a significant compromise of data and system integrity for affected organizations.

  • Exposure: Network-accessible system.
  • Attacker access: Unauthenticated.
  • Trigger: User interaction with malicious content.
  • Impact: Arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presented a significant risk because it allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code. Exploitation in the wild was documented, indicating active threats. The potential for remote code execution meant that unauthorized individuals could gain control of affected systems, leading to data theft or system compromise. Organizations using the affected software faced a critical risk.

  • Attackers require low skill level.
  • No access or conditions needed.
  • High business risk; treat as urgent.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player allows for arbitrary code execution and was actively exploited. Organizations should act to protect their systems by identifying and addressing all instances of the affected software. Immediate containment and remediation are critical to mitigating potential business risk and protecting sensitive data.

  • Find all exposed Adobe Flash Player instances.
  • Disable or remove Flash Player.
  • Verify removal and monitor for activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is Adobe Flash Player and what was it used for?

Adobe Flash Player was a software component used to display content created with Adobe Flash, such as animations, interactive applications, and video. It was commonly integrated into web browsers to enable rich multimedia experiences on websites.

How does CVE-2016-4117 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code?

CVE-2016-4117 is a vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. This means an attacker could potentially run their own commands or programs on a victim's system by exploiting this flaw.

What are the conditions for an attacker to trigger this Flash Player vulnerability?

The vulnerability can be triggered by an attacker sending a specially crafted file to a target system. This implies that a user would likely need to interact with malicious content, such as opening a malicious file or visiting a compromised website, for the exploit to be successful.

Who should be concerned about this Adobe Flash Player vulnerability based on its exposure?

Organizations should be concerned if they have Adobe Flash Player installed on systems that are accessible over a network. While Flash Player itself is client-side, its network accessibility means that users on the network could be targeted through malicious content delivered over the internet.

What is the first step to address this Adobe Flash Player vulnerability?

The primary recommendation is to identify all instances of the affected Adobe Flash Player version within your environment. Once identified, the next critical step is to disable or remove Flash Player entirely, as it is a widely recognized security risk and has reached its end-of-life.

References