CVE-2016-1040 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 bypass JavaScript API execution restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1038, CVE-2016-1039, CVE-2016-1041, CVE-2016-1042, CVE-2016-1044, CVE-2016-1062, and CVE-2016-1117.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Reader and Acrobat products that allows attackers to circumvent JavaScript API execution restrictions through unspecified vectors. The affected versions include Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.16, as well as Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30172 and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 15.016.20039 on both Windows and macOS operating systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the security mechanisms that normally restrict JavaScript execution within PDF documents, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass these protective controls.
The technical nature of this flaw lies in the improper handling of JavaScript API restrictions within Adobe's PDF processing engine. When users open PDF documents containing malicious JavaScript code, the security controls designed to limit what APIs can be accessed and executed are bypassed, allowing attackers to leverage potentially dangerous functionality. This represents a significant deviation from the expected security model where JavaScript execution should be severely restricted to prevent malicious code from accessing system resources or performing unauthorized operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the PDF rendering and JavaScript execution components of Adobe's software suite.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's system. This bypass allows malicious JavaScript code to perform actions that would normally be restricted, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PDF documents that contain JavaScript code designed to take advantage of the bypassed restrictions. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but also enterprise environments where Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed, creating potential for large-scale compromise. Organizations using these products are particularly vulnerable as the attack surface extends to any user who opens potentially malicious PDF files.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in the implementation of access control mechanisms, and relates to the broader category of privilege escalation and code execution flaws. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through legitimate software channels. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF documents, making this a particularly dangerous threat due to its reliance on user interaction. Organizations should implement immediate patch management strategies and consider network-level protections such as PDF content filtering to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to update Adobe Reader and Acrobat to versions that address this specific bypass vulnerability. System administrators should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious PDF attachments and the risks associated with opening documents from untrusted sources. Network security controls including PDF content inspection and sandboxing mechanisms should be deployed to provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious JavaScript within PDF documents. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining risks associated with legacy Adobe installations that may not have been updated.