CVE-2016-1053 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-2016-1048, CVE-2016-1049, CVE-2016-1050, CVE-2016-1051, CVE-2016-1052, 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1053 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 iterations of Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous before their respective patched versions. The flaw manifests in Windows and OS X environments, making it particularly dangerous due to the widespread adoption of these platforms. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating opportunities for malicious code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications. When processing certain malformed or crafted PDF files, the applications fail to properly validate memory references, leading to scenarios where freed memory blocks are accessed by subsequent operations. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially inject arbitrary code into the running process. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability can be triggered through various input methods within PDF processing, making it particularly challenging to defend against. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level of application security, where memory corruption directly translates to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1053 extends far beyond typical software vulnerabilities due to the widespread deployment of Adobe Reader and Acrobat across enterprise environments and individual users. Organizations relying on these applications for document processing become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could compromise entire networks. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage the use-after-free condition to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.003 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) indicates that successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious payloads through command-line interfaces. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these applications are frequently used to open documents from untrusted sources, making the attack vector highly accessible through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1053 primarily focus on immediate patching and application hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, specifically targeting versions 11.0.16 for traditional Acrobat products and 15.006.30172 for DC Classic and 15.016.20039 for DC Continuous. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized execution of malicious code, while sandboxing mechanisms provide containment for PDF processing operations. Network-based security controls such as intrusion prevention systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF-related activities, and email filtering solutions should be enhanced to detect potentially malicious attachments. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1070.004 (Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion), suggesting that defensive measures should address both initial compromise and post-exploitation activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in the Adobe ecosystem.