CVE-2016-0998Air Use-After-Free
flash-plugin: multiple code execution issues fixed in APSB16-08
Published Mar 10, 2016 · Updated Feb 4, 2026 · Also known as UBUNTU-CVE-2016-0998
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-0998 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Air (Adobe), Air Desktop Runtime (Adobe), Air Sdk (Adobe) and 8 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 28% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Air 20.0.0.233, Air Desktop Runtime 20.0.0.260, Air Sdk 20.0.0.260.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
28%
Higher than 98.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
51/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
4
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-0998
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-0998
- advisorySUSE-SU-2016:0715
- advisorySUSE-SU-2016:0716
- advisoryopenSUSE-SU-2016:0719
- advisoryopenSUSE-SU-2016:0734
Description
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.333 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.182 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.577 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 21.0.0.176, Adobe AIR SDK before 21.0.0.176, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 21.0.0.176 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0987, CVE-2016-0988, CVE-2016-0990, CVE-2016-0991, CVE-2016-0994, CVE-2016-0995, CVE-2016-0996, CVE-2016-0997, CVE-2016-0999, and CVE-2016-1000.
Affected Products
35 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| AirAdobe | See advisory | 20.0.0.233 |
| Air Desktop RuntimeAdobe | See advisory | 20.0.0.260 |
| Air SdkAdobe | See advisory | 20.0.0.260 |
| Air Sdk \& CompilerAdobe | See advisory | 20.0.0.260 |
| Flash PlayerAdobe | See advisory | 11.2.202.569 |
Patched Releases
Air
20.0.0.233
Air Desktop Runtime
20.0.0.260
Air Sdk
20.0.0.260
Air Sdk \& Compiler
20.0.0.260
Flash Player
11.2.202.569, 20.0.0.306, 11.2.202.577-0.38.1, 11.2.202.577-123.1, 11.2.202.577-156.1, 11.2.202.577-2.91.1
Flash Player Desktop Runtime
20.2.2.306
flash-player-gnome
11.2.202.577-0.38.1, 11.2.202.577-123.1, 11.2.202.577-156.1, 11.2.202.577-2.91.1
flash-player-kde4
11.2.202.577-0.38.1, 11.2.202.577-156.1, 11.2.202.577-2.91.1
flash-plugin
0:11.2.202.577-1.el5, 0:11.2.202.577-1.el6_7
flashplugin-nonfree
11.2.202.577ubuntu0.14.04.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 10, 2016
Last updated
Feb 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-416 Use After Free
References
- advisoryubuntu.com · CVE-2016-0998
- advisorycve.org · CVERecord
- advisorySUSE-SU-2016:0715
- advisorySUSE-SU-2016:0716
- advisoryopenSUSE-SU-2016:0719
FAQ
Common Questions.
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.333 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.182 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.577 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 21.0.0.176, Adobe AIR SDK before 21.0.0.176, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 21.0.0.176 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via…
Affected: Air (Adobe); Air Desktop Runtime (Adobe); Air Sdk (Adobe), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Air 20.0.0.233, Air Desktop Runtime 20.0.0.260, Air Sdk 20.0.0.260.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
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