CVE-2016-1056 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-2016-1053, CVE-2016-1054, CVE-2016-1055, 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 • 10/20/2024
The CVE-2016-1056 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions, specifically affecting Windows and macOS platforms. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory corruption issues that have long been a primary attack vector for cyber adversaries targeting document processing applications. The flaw exists within the software's handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit improper memory management practices that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed software used across enterprise and individual environments, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking persistent access to systems.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when the application allocates memory for objects and subsequently frees that memory while still maintaining references to it. Attackers can manipulate the application's behavior to cause it to access memory that has already been deallocated, leading to unpredictable program behavior and potential code execution. This particular vulnerability differs from several other CVEs in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct code path or memory handling mechanism within the Adobe software. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could be triggered through various means such as parsing malicious PDF files, handling embedded objects, or manipulating document structures that cause the software to improperly manage memory resources. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1056 extends beyond simple arbitrary code execution, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows adversaries to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the affected Adobe software, potentially leading to full system compromise. The widespread deployment of Adobe Reader and Acrobat across organizations makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous from a threat landscape perspective, as it requires minimal user interaction for exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Adobe Acrobat products indicates that it affects multiple software delivery mechanisms, complicating remediation efforts and increasing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of targeted attacks that could result in data breaches, system infiltration, and lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1056 should prioritize immediate software updates to patched versions, as Adobe released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly given the vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing sandboxing techniques for PDF processing, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and restricting user permissions for Adobe software execution. The vulnerability's characteristics align with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases, making it a critical target for defensive security controls. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted PDF files and establish monitoring procedures for suspicious file handling activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.