CVE-2016-1078 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-2016-1077, 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, presenting a critical security risk that enables remote code execution or denial of service through unspecified attack vectors. The flaw exists in the handling of malformed input within the PDF processing engine, specifically manifesting as memory corruption issues that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability is distinct from numerous other CVEs published in the same timeframe, indicating a unique code path or memory management issue within the affected software components. This particular weakness falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which are commonly exploited through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management flaws that can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Adobe Reader's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and end-user systems, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking persistent access to sensitive networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory handling during PDF document parsing operations, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize input data structures. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable Adobe applications, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The memory corruption occurs in the context of PDF rendering and processing, where the application attempts to access or manipulate memory regions that have been freed or improperly allocated. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening actions, requiring no special privileges or complex attack chains. The exploitation typically involves carefully crafted PDF content that causes the application to execute unintended code paths, potentially through stack or heap corruption that allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. Security researchers have identified this as a critical threat vector due to the extensive use of Adobe Reader in business environments and the relative ease with which these vulnerabilities can be exploited through social engineering or malicious document delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate exploitation to include significant risks for enterprise security posture and compliance requirements. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service in addition to remote code execution makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to disrupt business operations or maintain persistent access to target systems. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including initial access through malicious documents, execution through legitimate system binaries, and privilege escalation via memory corruption exploits. The widespread deployment of Adobe Reader across different operating systems including Windows and OS X increases the attack surface considerably, as attackers can target multiple platforms with a single exploit vector. Organizations that have not patched affected systems remain vulnerable to advanced persistent threats that leverage this weakness to establish backdoors, exfiltrate data, or deploy additional malware payloads.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory patching of all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations, network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems, and enhanced email filtering to prevent delivery of malicious PDF attachments. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within CWE-122 (Heap Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories, indicating the need for proper input validation and memory management practices. Security teams should also deploy application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files and implement monitoring for suspicious PDF processing activities. Regular security assessments should include verification of Adobe product versions and patch status to ensure comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include not only patch deployment but also user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security updates and reduce the window of exposure to known vulnerabilities.