# CVE-2016-4171: Adobe Flash Player Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-4171-adobe-flash-player-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-25. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-4171 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-25

An unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability was reported to be exploited in the wild prior to its formal cataloging in the CISA KEV.

Technologies: [Adobe AIR](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/air), [Adobe Flash Player](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/flash-player). Vendors: [Adobe](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/adobe).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-4171 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2016-4171 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 25 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2016-4171?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 25 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.242 and earlier.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-4171?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2016-4171 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-4171?** Check whether you run Adobe AIR or Adobe Flash Player. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Adobe Flash Player 21.0.0.242 and earlier

## Timeline

- 2016-06-01: exploited: Exploited in the wild in June 2016.
- 2022-03-25: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.

## Related threats

- [Adobe Acrobat use-after-free in PDF parsing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-9715-adobe-acrobat-use-after-free-in-pdf-parsing)
- [Adobe Acrobat and Reader prototype pollution in JavaScript engine](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-34621-adobe-acrobat-and-reader-prototype-pollution-in-javascript-engine)
- [Adobe Flash Player Incorrect Default Permissions Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2013-0643-adobe-flash-player-incorrect-default-permissions-vulnerability)
- [Adobe Flash Player Integer Underflow Vulnerablity](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-0497-adobe-flash-player-integer-underflow-vulnerablity)
- [Adobe Flash Player Double Free Vulnerablity](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-0502-adobe-flash-player-double-free-vulnerablity)