CVE-2016-1082 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-2016-1078, CVE-2016-1080, CVE-2016-1081, 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
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been prime targets for cyber attacks due to their widespread use and the complex nature of PDF processing. This particular vulnerability represents a memory corruption flaw that exists across multiple product versions and operating systems, specifically affecting Adobe Reader versions before 11.0.16, Acrobat versions before 15.006.30172, and both Classic and Continuous versions of Acrobat Reader DC before their respective patched releases. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain PDF objects during parsing operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted malicious documents. This flaw falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that are commonly classified under CWE-121, which deals with insufficient control of the allocation of resources with long lifetimes, and CWE-122, which addresses insufficient control of the allocation of resources with long lifetimes. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows for arbitrary code execution, meaning that an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the affected system. The memory corruption occurs when the application processes specific elements within PDF files, particularly those involving object references and memory allocation patterns that are not properly validated or sanitized. The vulnerability is distinct from numerous other CVEs in the same timeframe, indicating a unique code path or parsing mechanism that was not addressed by previous patches. Attackers typically leverage such vulnerabilities through social engineering campaigns where victims are tricked into opening malicious PDF attachments, making this a significant risk for enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted documents. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation as the vulnerability can also lead to denial of service conditions, where legitimate users may be unable to access PDF documents or the application may crash repeatedly. This particular weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for persistence, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe products face a critical security risk that requires immediate remediation through official patches provided by Adobe. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of securing complex document processing applications where the attack surface includes numerous parsing functions and object types within the PDF specification. Security teams must implement comprehensive monitoring and patch management processes to address this vulnerability, as the memory corruption nature makes it particularly difficult to detect through traditional signature-based methods. The flaw represents a fundamental issue in how Adobe's PDF parser handles memory allocation and deallocation, particularly when processing malformed or maliciously constructed PDF elements that trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of PDF objects that trigger improper memory handling during parsing operations. When Adobe Reader or Acrobat encounters certain malformed PDF structures, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate the size or content of allocated memory blocks, leading to buffer overflows or heap corruption. This memory corruption can occur during various stages of PDF processing including object parsing, stream decoding, or cross-reference table handling. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate PDF features that are commonly used in documents, making it difficult for users to identify potentially malicious content. The flaw is not limited to a single parsing function but affects multiple areas of the PDF processing pipeline, indicating a systemic issue in how the application manages memory resources. Attackers can craft PDF documents that cause the application to allocate memory in unexpected ways, potentially leading to controlled memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because it can be exploited through web-based delivery mechanisms, email attachments, or file sharing platforms where users may unknowingly open malicious PDF files. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter PDF documents from external sources or where the application is configured to automatically open PDF attachments. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability are particularly challenging to defend against as they often do not produce clear error messages or crash indicators, making detection difficult. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often require sophisticated exploitation techniques that may involve multiple steps to achieve reliable code execution, including information leakage and return-oriented programming techniques. The impact is further amplified by the fact that these applications are often installed with high privileges, meaning that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment across all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations. Organizations should implement a comprehensive patch management program that includes regular updates for Adobe products, as well as monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's memory corruption nature means that traditional antivirus solutions may not detect malicious PDF files, necessitating the implementation of additional security controls such as PDF sandboxing, content filtering, and network-based intrusion detection systems. Adobe recommends that users immediately update to the latest versions of their products to address this vulnerability, which includes versions 11.0.16 for Reader, 15.006.30172 for Acrobat, and the corresponding updated versions of the DC products. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of unauthorized PDF processing applications and monitor for unusual PDF processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability's complexity and the potential for sophisticated exploitation techniques make it essential for organizations to maintain updated threat intelligence feeds and security monitoring systems that can detect anomalous behavior associated with memory corruption exploits. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist in the PDF processing pipeline. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and quarantine suspicious PDF attachments, as well as user education programs that emphasize the importance of not opening untrusted PDF documents. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing business applications or workflows. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential for causing complete system compromise, organizations should also maintain detailed incident response procedures that include forensic analysis capabilities for investigating potential exploitation attempts.