CVE-2016-0932 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the Doc object implementation in Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.14, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30119, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 15.010.20056 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0934, CVE-2016-0937, CVE-2016-0940, and CVE-2016-0941.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-0932 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Adobe Reader and Acrobat's document object implementation that affected multiple product versions across different operating systems. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating a dangerous condition that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code. The flaw specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions prior to 11.0.14 and Acrobat versions before 11.0.14, alongside various Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions, making it a widespread issue affecting numerous users and organizations relying on Adobe's document processing software.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the document object implementation where the application fails to properly track the lifecycle of allocated memory blocks. When certain document objects are processed and subsequently freed from memory, the application does not adequately prevent subsequent references to these memory locations. This creates a window of opportunity where malicious actors can manipulate the application's behavior by controlling the memory content before it is overwritten, potentially leading to code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the PDF processing engine, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through the simple act of opening a maliciously crafted PDF document.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0932 extends far beyond individual user compromise, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Organizations using older versions of Adobe products face elevated risk due to the widespread adoption of these applications across various industries, from financial services to government agencies, where document processing is a fundamental business function.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF documents are commonly used in business communications and can be easily distributed through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Command and Control" patterns, as attackers can leverage the compromised systems for further malicious activities. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, implement network segmentation to limit exposure, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs from the same timeframe indicates a pattern of memory safety issues within Adobe's PDF processing implementation, highlighting the need for comprehensive security assessments of document processing software components.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for widely-used software applications, particularly those handling untrusted content such as PDF documents. The exploitation of such flaws can result in significant financial losses, data breaches, and operational disruptions that extend far beyond the immediate technical compromise. Organizations should implement robust vulnerability management processes that include regular security assessments, automated patch deployment, and continuous monitoring for exploitation attempts. The incident also underscores the necessity of user education regarding safe document handling practices and the importance of maintaining current security software configurations to mitigate risks associated with legacy software vulnerabilities.