CVE-2016-6981

Name: CVE-2016-6981
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-10-13T19:59:52.807+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 5.43%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6981 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.. EPSS estimates a 5.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

5.43%

91.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-416

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Adobe	Flash Player	<= 23.0.0.162
Adobe	Flash Player	<= 18.0.0.375
Adobe	Flash Player Desktop Runtime	<= 23.0.0.162
Adobe	Flash Player	<= 11.2.202.635

References

http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2057.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93492Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036985Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb16-32.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201610-10Third Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2057.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93492Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036985Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb16-32.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201610-10Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 13, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6981?

How severe is CVE-2016-6981?

CVE-2016-6981 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6981?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-6981?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST