CVE-2016-1059 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-2016-1056, CVE-2016-1057, CVE-2016-1058, 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-2016-1059 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions and operating systems. This vulnerability resides in the memory management mechanisms of these widely used document processing applications, creating a significant attack surface that has been exploited in the wild. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes certain malformed PDF files, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects not only traditional desktop versions but also the newer DC Classic and DC Continuous variants, demonstrating the widespread impact across Adobe's product portfolio.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to remote code execution. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that typically involve manipulating PDF objects in ways that cause the application to free memory regions while still maintaining references to them, or by triggering conditions that result in memory corruption during document parsing. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by vulnerable applications, trigger the memory corruption, potentially allowing for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can exploit it through web-based attacks without requiring local access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1059 extends beyond simple exploitation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to affected systems. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to execute malicious code with the same privileges as the user running the vulnerable Adobe application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The widespread deployment of Adobe Reader and Acrobat across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors, as it can provide access to sensitive corporate data and infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy and newer product versions means that organizations cannot simply rely on updating to the latest release, as older versions may still be in use within their environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to the specified remediation releases. The security community has classified this vulnerability as high-risk due to its exploitability and potential for widespread impact. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection while patches are deployed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation typically involves executing malicious code through compromised applications. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual PDF file processing activities and potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to network traffic patterns that may indicate malicious PDF delivery. System administrators should also consider implementing Adobe's recommended security configurations and disabling unnecessary features that could increase the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all software components, particularly widely deployed applications like Adobe Reader that serve as common attack vectors in enterprise environments.