CVE-2016-1073 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1037, CVE-2016-1063, CVE-2016-1064, CVE-2016-1071, CVE-2016-1072, CVE-2016-1074, CVE-2016-1076, CVE-2016-1077, CVE-2016-1078, CVE-2016-1080, CVE-2016-1081, CVE-2016-1082, CVE-2016-1083, CVE-2016-1084, CVE-2016-1085, CVE-2016-1086, CVE-2016-1088, CVE-2016-1093, CVE-2016-1095, CVE-2016-1116, CVE-2016-1118, CVE-2016-1119, CVE-2016-1120, CVE-2016-1123, CVE-2016-1124, CVE-2016-1125, CVE-2016-1126, CVE-2016-1127, CVE-2016-1128, CVE-2016-1129, CVE-2016-1130, CVE-2016-4088, CVE-2016-4089, CVE-2016-4090, CVE-2016-4093, CVE-2016-4094, CVE-2016-4096, CVE-2016-4097, CVE-2016-4098, CVE-2016-4099, CVE-2016-4100, CVE-2016-4101, CVE-2016-4103, CVE-2016-4104, and CVE-2016-4105.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions and operating systems, representing a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The flaw exists in the processing of malformed input within the PDF parsing functionality, where improper memory handling allows attackers to manipulate heap memory structures through crafted PDF documents. This vulnerability is distinct from numerous other CVEs in the same year, indicating a unique exploitation vector that specifically targets the memory management components of Adobe's PDF rendering engine. The vulnerability impacts both the traditional Acrobat and Reader installations as well as the newer DC Classic and Continuous editions, suggesting a fundamental issue within the core PDF processing libraries shared across these product lines.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption patterns that are commonly classified as CWE-125, indicating an out-of-bounds read or write condition. Attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing malicious PDF files that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing or rendering phase of PDF documents, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers or buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it suitable for phishing campaigns or drive-by download attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation, as it can result in complete system compromise when successful. Attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Adobe products including Reader 11.0.15 and earlier versions, Acrobat 11.0.15 and earlier, and various DC editions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are widely deployed. Organizations may experience significant downtime due to required patching activities, and the vulnerability can be exploited in targeted attacks against high-value targets who regularly use Adobe Acrobat products for document processing. The memory corruption aspect also makes it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring, as the malicious activity occurs within the application's memory space rather than through network traffic patterns.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches and updates, as well as implementing additional defensive measures such as PDF sandboxing and application whitelisting. Organizations should consider deploying Adobe's Enhanced Security Configuration for Reader and Acrobat to reduce the attack surface and limit potential exploitation. Network-based mitigations such as PDF file inspection and filtering can help prevent malicious documents from reaching end users, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning for affected Adobe products, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The patching process should be prioritized at the highest level due to the remote code execution capabilities, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Security awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening untrusted PDF files, particularly in environments where the vulnerability remains unpatched.