CVE-2016-1007 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.15, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30121, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 15.010.20060 on Windows and OS X allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1009.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 11.0.15, as well as Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30121 and DC Continuous before 15.010.20060 on Windows and OS X systems contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from CVE-2016-1009 and stems from improper handling of malformed data structures within the PDF processing engine. The flaw occurs when the software attempts to parse and render maliciously crafted PDF documents, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that can be exploited by attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common entry points for privilege escalation attacks. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat products for document processing, as a single malicious PDF file could compromise entire systems without user interaction. Attackers can leverage this flaw through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or embedded content in documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability allows adversaries to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation typically results in elevated system privileges. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor patches released for Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions mentioned in the vulnerability description, as the affected software versions represent a significant attack surface that could be exploited by sophisticated threat actors. Additionally, implementing network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates how complex software applications like Adobe Acrobat can contain subtle memory handling errors that become exploitable through carefully crafted input. The fact that this issue affects multiple product lines including both legacy and continuous release versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the PDF parsing implementation that requires comprehensive patching across the entire product portfolio. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of broader Adobe Acrobat security assessments, particularly when evaluating document processing security controls in environments where PDF files are routinely opened or processed. The memory corruption characteristics of this vulnerability align with common exploitation techniques used in advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers seek to establish persistent access through code execution. Organizations that have not yet updated their Adobe Acrobat installations should prioritize this patch deployment as part of their vulnerability management processes, given the potential for remote code execution and the widespread use of these applications in corporate and government environments. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue also suggests that traditional antivirus solutions may not detect exploitation attempts, making network-based monitoring and behavioral analysis critical components of defense strategies.