CVE-2016-1037 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.16, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30172, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 15.016.20039 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-2016-1063, CVE-2016-1064, CVE-2016-1071, CVE-2016-1072, CVE-2016-1073, CVE-2016-1074, CVE-2016-1076, CVE-2016-1077, CVE-2016-1078, CVE-2016-1080, CVE-2016-1081, CVE-2016-1082, CVE-2016-1083, CVE-2016-1084, CVE-2016-1085, CVE-2016-1086, CVE-2016-1088, CVE-2016-1093, CVE-2016-1095, CVE-2016-1116, CVE-2016-1118, CVE-2016-1119, CVE-2016-1120, CVE-2016-1123, CVE-2016-1124, CVE-2016-1125, CVE-2016-1126, CVE-2016-1127, CVE-2016-1128, CVE-2016-1129, CVE-2016-1130, CVE-2016-4088, CVE-2016-4089, CVE-2016-4090, CVE-2016-4093, CVE-2016-4094, CVE-2016-4096, CVE-2016-4097, CVE-2016-4098, CVE-2016-4099, CVE-2016-4100, CVE-2016-4101, CVE-2016-4103, CVE-2016-4104, and CVE-2016-4105.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions, representing a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The flaw exists in the handling of unspecified vectors within the software's processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors without specific disclosure. The vulnerability impacts both Windows and macOS operating systems, extending its reach across different platform environments. Security researchers have confirmed this represents a distinct issue from numerous other CVEs in the same year, indicating a unique code path or implementation flaw that requires specific remediation approaches. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of software security flaws that can lead to complete system compromise when successfully exploited.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption during the processing of PDF files, where improper input validation or handling leads to unstable memory states that attackers can manipulate. When users open maliciously crafted PDF documents, the software's parsing routines encounter malformed data structures that cause memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the running application. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it provides attackers with opportunities to execute malicious code, potentially gaining full control over affected systems. This type of flaw typically occurs when software fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing, allowing attackers to craft inputs that trigger unexpected behavior in memory management routines.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing, as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks targeting end users. Attackers can distribute malicious PDF files through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making the attack surface extremely broad. The vulnerability's exploitation potential means that successful attacks can result in complete system compromise, data theft, or establishment of persistent backdoors. Organizations must consider the widespread deployment of these software applications across enterprise environments, where the vulnerability could be leveraged to gain access to sensitive documents and systems. The impact extends to both individual users and enterprise security postures, as the exploitation of such vulnerabilities often requires minimal technical skill from attackers.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to the patched versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, specifically targeting versions 11.0.16, 15.006.30172, and 15.016.20039 respectively. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the likelihood of users opening suspicious PDF files. Additionally, monitoring for exploitation attempts through network intrusion detection systems can help identify potential attacks targeting this vulnerability. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment, ensuring that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing workflows. Security controls should also include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify potential attack vectors that could leverage similar memory corruption flaws. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing layered security controls to protect against sophisticated attacks that target widely deployed applications.