CVE-2016-1085 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-2016-1082, CVE-2016-1083, CVE-2016-1084, 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, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability exists in the handling of unspecified vectors within the software's processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various attack vectors that are not fully documented in the CVE description. The affected versions include Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.16, as well as Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30172 and DC Continuous before 15.016.20039 on both Windows and macOS platforms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption patterns that are commonly classified as CWE-125, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption issues typically arise from inadequate input validation and improper handling of data structures within the PDF processing engine. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PDF files that trigger memory corruption when the vulnerable software attempts to parse or render the document. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute arbitrary code. The memory corruption occurs at the kernel level within the PDF rendering subsystem, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve remote code execution on targeted systems. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Adobe Reader or Acrobat process, which typically runs with user-level privileges but can potentially be escalated. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged to disrupt business operations, particularly in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently processed and shared. Organizations relying on Adobe products for document management, digital signatures, and content review processes face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it can be triggered through legitimate document handling workflows. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Adobe Acrobat DC indicates that the flaw exists across multiple product streams, increasing the attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of all affected versions, as Adobe released security updates to address this vulnerability in their subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as sandboxing PDF processing, deploying web application firewalls, and using email filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious PDF attachments. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling PDF processing in web browsers where possible, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for unusual PDF processing activities. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue means that traditional antivirus solutions may not detect exploitation attempts, making behavioral monitoring and endpoint detection crucial. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that Adobe processes run with minimal required privileges. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure.