CVE-2016-1077 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-2016-1073, CVE-2016-1074, CVE-2016-1076, 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 • 10/21/2024
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions, specifically targeting Windows and macOS platforms. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. Unlike other CVEs in the same year, this particular vulnerability operates through distinct attack vectors that have not been previously documented in the referenced CVE list. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the Adobe Acrobat processing engine, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and execute unauthorized commands.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption vulnerabilities typically arise when applications fail to properly validate input data or when buffer overflow conditions occur during processing of malformed PDF files. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Adobe Acrobat's widespread use in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, making this a high-value target for exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat products for document processing and viewing. Attackers could craft malicious PDF files designed to trigger the memory corruption when opened by vulnerable versions of the software, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution means that successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within network environments. The denial of service aspect also represents a serious operational risk, as it could disrupt business processes and document workflows critical to organizational operations.
The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows typical exploitation techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. These methods involve leveraging the memory corruption to execute malicious payloads that can establish persistence or escalate privileges within the compromised system. Organizations should consider implementing network-based mitigations such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing solutions to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular patching and updating of Adobe Acrobat installations remains the most effective defense mechanism against this vulnerability, as Adobe has released security updates specifically addressing the memory corruption issues in affected versions.
Security professionals should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory access patterns or process behavior anomalies that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The complexity of the attack vectors makes it essential for organizations to maintain comprehensive visibility into their document processing environments and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle PDF-based attacks. Given the widespread adoption of Adobe Acrobat products, the impact of successful exploitation could extend across multiple departments and systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise contexts where document sharing and collaboration are frequent activities.