PatchTheCVECVE-2016-4117: Adobe Flash Player Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2016-4117 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting flash player, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
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.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 94.3% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-03-24, used in ransomware |
| Published | 2016-05-11 |
| Last modified | 2026-09-10 |
Last updated 2026-09-10 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: amit-raut/CVE-2016-4117-Report (1 stars)
- Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46339/
- GitHub PoC: hybridious/CVE-2016-4117
- Exploit-DB: Adobe Flash Player - DeleteRangeTimelineOperation Type Confusion (Metasploit)
- Metasploit: Adobe Flash Player DeleteRangeTimelineOperation Type-Confusion
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2016-4117?
flash player: upgrade to newer than 21.0.0.226; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2016-4117 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2016-4117 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2016-4117 affect?
CVE-2016-4117 affects flash player, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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.
How urgent is CVE-2016-4117?
Priority 100/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Related CVEs
- CVE-2018-15982 HIGH 7.8 EXPLOITED UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player Use-After-Free Vulnerability
- CVE-2016-1019 CRITICAL 9.8 EXPLOITED UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2020-9746 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player version 32.0.0.433 (and earlier) are affected by an exploitable NULL pointer dereference vu
- CVE-2020-9633 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player Desktop Runtime 32.0.0.371 and earlier, Adobe Flash Player for Google Chrome 32.0.0.371 and
- CVE-2020-3757 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Adobe Flash Player versions 32.0.0.321 and earlier, 32.0.0.314 and earlier, 32.0.0.321 and earlier, and 32.0.0