CVE-2015-5096 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 2015.006.30060, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 2015.008.20082 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5098 and CVE-2015-5105.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5096 represents a critical security flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions and operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management mechanisms within Adobe's document processing libraries, creating a condition where maliciously crafted PDF files can trigger unauthorized memory access patterns that lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists in versions 10.x prior to 10.1.15 and 11.x prior to 11.0.12, as well as in the Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions before the specified patch levels on both Windows and OS X platforms. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from related CVE-2015-5098 and CVE-2015-5105, indicating a unique exploitation pathway within the software's memory handling processes. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a memory safety error that occurs when data is written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries in heap memory. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker crafting a malicious PDF document that, when opened by an affected Adobe application, triggers the buffer overflow condition during document parsing or rendering operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-5096 leverages heap memory corruption to achieve remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. When an affected application processes a malicious PDF file, the buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code into the application's memory space. The heap-based nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can manipulate heap metadata structures, leading to more sophisticated exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming or function pointer overwrites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Adobe Reader and Acrobat across organizations, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise endpoints through social engineering campaigns or drive-by downloads. The exploitation process typically requires the victim to open a specially crafted PDF document, making user interaction a necessary component of the attack vector. This makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against, as it relies on user behavior and document handling rather than direct network-based attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5096 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access for threat actors. Organizations running unpatched versions of Adobe software face significant risk of data breaches, lateral movement within networks, and potential establishment of backdoors through the exploited applications. The vulnerability's presence in Adobe Acrobat and Reader DC versions indicates a persistent issue affecting both legacy and newer software releases, suggesting that the underlying memory management flaws were not adequately addressed across the product line. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat landscape assessments, particularly when evaluating the security posture of environments where PDF processing is common. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it a high-priority target for exploitation. The specific mention of different attack vectors compared to CVE-2015-5098 and CVE-2015-5105 indicates that this vulnerability represents a distinct attack surface that requires separate mitigation strategies and security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5096 focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security enhancements to reduce attack surface exposure. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to the patched versions mentioned in the vulnerability description, ensuring that both Classic and Continuous versions are properly addressed. The implementation of Adobe's recommended security configurations, including disabling JavaScript execution and restricting PDF file handling, provides additional protective layers against exploitation attempts. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help prevent the delivery of malicious PDF files to end users, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF processing activities. Security teams should implement monitoring for anomalous PDF file handling patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing potential exploitation of heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include verification of Adobe software patch levels to ensure complete remediation of this and similar heap-based vulnerabilities. The complexity of heap-based buffer overflow exploitation requires comprehensive security awareness training for end users to recognize potentially malicious PDF files and avoid opening untrusted documents.