CVE-2016-7892: Adobe Flash Player TextField use-after-free allows code execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 17 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityThe flaw is remotely reachable, leads to arbitrary code execution, and is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on an end-of-life product.

What it is

Adobe Flash Player versions 23.0.0.207 and earlier, and 11.2.202.644 and earlier, contain a use-after-free flaw in the TextField class. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected process. The product is end-of-life, so unpatched installs remain exposed.

Impact

An attacker who triggers the flaw can execute arbitrary code on the victim's system, giving full control of the affected process and potentially the host. The CVSS 3.1 vector rates confidentiality, integrity and availability impact as high.

Attack surface

The vector is network-reachable (AV:N) with no privileges required (PR:N), but exploitation requires user interaction (UI:R), typically a victim loading crafted Flash content in a browser or player. No authentication is needed beyond the victim opening the malicious content.

Exploitation

CVE-2016-7892 is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2022-03-25), indicating real-world exploitation. EPSS gives a 30-day probability of 0.18786 (97th percentile), and no ransomware campaign use is documented.

What to do

• Patch or remove Flash Player immediately; Adobe's APSB16-39 and Microsoft MS16-154 address this flaw, but Flash is end-of-life and CISA advises disconnecting the product if still in use.
• Disable or uninstall Flash Player and block Flash content in browsers and email clients where it is not required.
• Apply vendor updates on Linux distributions via the referenced Red Hat, openSUSE and Gentoo advisories if Flash must remain.
• Restrict network access to untrusted Flash content and enforce browser isolation or click-to-play for legacy plugins.
• Inventory hosts still running Flash and prioritize remediation for internet-facing or user-workstation systems.

Detection

• Search endpoint inventories and software asset data for Flash Player versions 23.0.0.207 and earlier or 11.2.202.644 and earlier.
• Monitor for browser or plugin processes spawning unexpected child processes, a common post-exploitation indicator for Flash code execution.
• Review proxy and DNS logs for known Flash exploit kit delivery patterns and suspicious SWF file downloads.
• Check for CISA KEV remediation tracking and confirm Flash has been removed or disconnected on affected assets.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.