CVE-2016-1070 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-2016-1060, CVE-2016-1061, CVE-2016-1065, CVE-2016-1066, CVE-2016-1067, CVE-2016-1068, CVE-2016-1069, 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
This use-after-free vulnerability exists in Adobe Reader and Acrobat software versions prior to specific patch releases, representing a critical memory safety issue that can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted PDF files, specifically during the handling of certain object types within the document structure. The flaw occurs when memory allocated to objects is freed but references to those objects persist in the application's memory space, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the freed memory locations. This particular vulnerability differs from several other related issues identified in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct code path or implementation flaw within the affected software components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management practices where the application fails to properly validate object references after memory deallocation. When processing PDF content, the software may encounter malformed or specially crafted objects that trigger the freeing of memory regions while maintaining active pointers to those locations. Attackers can exploit this condition by constructing PDF documents that, when opened or processed by the vulnerable software, cause the application to execute code from the manipulated memory regions. This exploitation technique aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack framework, specifically relating to memory corruption vulnerabilities that enable privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS operating systems, demonstrating the cross-platform nature of the underlying memory management flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially gain elevated privileges, install malware, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's presence in widely used software like Adobe Reader and Acrobat makes it particularly dangerous, as these applications are frequently used to open documents from untrusted sources. The exploitation typically occurs when users open malicious PDF files, either through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks, making it a significant vector for targeted attacks and social engineering campaigns. Organizations relying on these applications for document processing face substantial risk if systems remain unpatched, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction beyond opening the document.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions, as Adobe has released updates addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive software update policies that ensure all instances of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are maintained at supported versions. Additional protective measures include implementing sandboxing techniques, restricting PDF file execution permissions, and deploying email filtering solutions that can identify and block potentially malicious PDF attachments. Network-based security controls such as web proxies and content filtering systems should be configured to scan PDF files for suspicious patterns or known exploit signatures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of application whitelisting and least privilege principles, where users should only have access to necessary software and file types. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected applications and ensure that their security posture remains robust against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may be discovered in the future. This case study demonstrates the critical importance of timely patch management and proper memory safety practices in preventing exploitation of fundamental software flaws.