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CVE-2016-6981: Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185 o

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HIGH 8.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2016-6981 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting flash player, flash player, flash player. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.637 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-6987.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score8.8 (High)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionRequired
EPSS exploit chance5.4% (top 7%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-416
Published2016-10-13
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): Adobe Systems Incorporated · Vendor: adobe

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Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 23.0.0.162
Fixed in: newer than 23.0.0.162
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 23.0.0.162 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 23.0.0.162
Fixed in: newer than 23.0.0.162
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 23.0.0.162 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 23.0.0.162
Fixed in: newer than 23.0.0.162
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 23.0.0.162 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 18.0.0.375
Fixed in: newer than 18.0.0.375
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 18.0.0.375 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player desktop runtime UPGRADE
Affected: <= 23.0.0.162
Fixed in: newer than 23.0.0.162
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player-desktop-runtime || rpm -q flash-player-desktop-runtime || flash-player-desktop-runtime --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 23.0.0.162 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player-desktop-runtime
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player-desktop-runtime
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
adobe flash player UPGRADE
Affected: <= 11.2.202.635
Fixed in: newer than 11.2.202.635
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy flash-player || rpm -q flash-player || flash-player --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 11.2.202.635 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flash-player
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade flash-player
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
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-2016-6981?

flash player: upgrade to newer than 23.0.0.162; flash player: upgrade to newer than 23.0.0.162; flash player: upgrade to newer than 23.0.0.162. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-6981 being exploited?

CVE-2016-6981 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-6981 affect?

CVE-2016-6981 affects flash player, flash player, flash player. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.382 and 19.x through 23.x before 23.0.0.185 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.637 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a differen

How urgent is CVE-2016-6981?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Adobe Flash vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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