CVE-2016-1048 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1045, CVE-2016-1046, CVE-2016-1047, CVE-2016-1049, CVE-2016-1050, CVE-2016-1051, CVE-2016-1052, CVE-2016-1053, CVE-2016-1054, CVE-2016-1055, CVE-2016-1056, CVE-2016-1057, CVE-2016-1058, CVE-2016-1059, CVE-2016-1060, CVE-2016-1061, CVE-2016-1065, CVE-2016-1066, CVE-2016-1067, CVE-2016-1068, CVE-2016-1069, CVE-2016-1070, CVE-2016-1075, CVE-2016-1094, CVE-2016-1121, CVE-2016-1122, CVE-2016-4102, and CVE-2016-4107.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
The CVE-2016-1048 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions and operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions before 11.0.16, Acrobat versions before 11.0.16, and various Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions prior to their respective patches. The flaw manifests as a memory management error where freed memory locations are still referenced by subsequent operations, creating a predictable exploitation vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to manipulate memory states and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that typically involve crafting malicious PDF documents designed to trigger the memory corruption during document parsing or rendering. Attackers can leverage this flaw by embedding specially crafted objects or content within PDF files that, when processed by the vulnerable Adobe applications, cause the application to reference freed memory locations. The memory corruption can be manipulated to redirect execution flow, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space. This particular vulnerability differs from several other CVEs in the same advisory period, indicating a distinct code path or memory handling pattern that makes it unique among the related vulnerabilities. The operating system platforms affected include both Windows and OS X environments, expanding the potential attack surface for threat actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1048 is significant as it provides attackers with a reliable method for achieving remote code execution within user environments. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can enable attackers to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction through opening a malicious PDF document, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations using affected Adobe products face substantial risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Acrobat Reader DC indicates a widespread impact across Adobe's product lineage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1048 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Adobe, specifically targeting the version releases mentioned in the advisory. Organizations should implement strict PDF document handling policies, including sandboxing mechanisms and content filtering to prevent execution of potentially malicious PDF files. Network-based security controls such as web proxies and email gateways should be configured to scan and block suspicious PDF attachments. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free condition makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through memory corruption techniques, emphasizing the importance of keeping Adobe applications updated with the latest security patches. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized Adobe products and monitor for suspicious memory access patterns. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar memory management flaws in other applications within their environment.