CVE-2018-4878
KEVRansomware UseAdobe Flash Player Use-After-Free Vulnerability
Description
Adobe Flash Player contains a use-after-free vulnerability that could allow for code execution.
A use-after-free vulnerability was discovered in Adobe Flash Player before 28.0.0.161. This vulnerability occurs due to a dangling pointer in the Primetime SDK related to media player handling of listener objects. A successful attack can lead to arbitrary code execution. This was exploited in the wild in January and February 2018.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedFeb 6, 2018
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVNov 3, 2021
Remediation dueMay 3, 2022
References
- blog.talosintelligence.com/2018/02/group-123-goes-wild.htmlTechnical DescriptionThird Party Advisory
- securityfocus.com/bid/102893Broken Link
- securitytracker.com/id/1040318Broken Link
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0285Third Party Advisory
- blog.morphisec.com/flash-exploit-cve-2018-4878-spotted-in-the-wild-massive-malspam-campaignThird Party Advisory
- github.com/InQuest/malware-samples/tree/master/CVE-2018-4878-Adobe-Flash-DRM-UAF-0dayThird Party Advisory
- github.com/vysec/CVE-2018-4878Third Party Advisory
- helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb18-03.htmlVendor Advisory
- securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/hackers-bypassed-adobe-flash-protection-mechanism/ExploitThird Party Advisory
- threatpost.com/adobe-flash-player-zero-day-spotted-in-the-wild/129742/Third Party Advisory
- darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/adobe-flash-vulnerability-reappears-in-malicious-word-files/d/d-id/1331139Press/Media CoverageThird Party Advisory
- exploit-db.com/exploits/44412/ExploitThird Party Advisory
0 recent articles mention this CVE
88
Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1638 days
- Ransomware
- Used in known ransomware campaigns
- CVSS
- 7.8 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 90.3% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-416
Recommended actions
- 1.The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
- 4.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.