CVE-2016-1060 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-2016-1059, 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1060 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions and operating systems. This security weakness manifests in the handling of memory management within the software's processing pipeline, specifically when dealing with objects that are freed from memory but subsequently accessed by the application. The vulnerability affects Adobe Reader versions prior to 11.0.16, Acrobat versions before 11.0.16, and both Classic and Continuous versions of Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC before their respective patched versions 15.006.30172 and 15.016.20039 on both Windows and OS X platforms. The flaw operates through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from a comprehensive set of related vulnerabilities, indicating a unique exploitation pathway that requires careful analysis of the software's memory handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within Adobe's PDF processing engine. When the application processes certain PDF objects, it may release memory resources associated with specific data structures while the application continues to reference those freed memory locations. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's memory state to overwrite freed memory with malicious code or data. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, highlights the fundamental flaw in resource management that allows attackers to exploit the application's memory handling behavior. This particular implementation demonstrates how PDF processing libraries can introduce memory safety issues when handling complex object hierarchies and embedded content structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1060 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise capabilities for attackers. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution, allowing threat actors to gain complete control over affected systems without requiring local access or user interaction beyond opening a malicious PDF document. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software across both enterprise and consumer environments creates substantial risk exposure, particularly given the prevalence of PDF documents in business communications and file sharing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through spear-phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised documents distributed via email, making the attack surface particularly broad. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple product lines and version ranges indicates a systemic issue within Adobe's PDF processing architecture that required comprehensive patching across their product portfolio.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1060 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements in memory management practices. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of patched versions from Adobe, specifically updating to Adobe Reader 11.0.16 or later, Acrobat 11.0.16 or later, and the appropriate DC versions as specified in the advisory. Network-based defenses should include PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious PDF content. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring for PDF processing activities, particularly in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for remote code execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular patching, application whitelisting, and behavioral monitoring. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing zero-trust principles for PDF handling, ensuring that all PDF processing occurs in isolated environments to contain potential exploitation attempts and limit the impact of successful attacks.