CVE-2016-1086 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-2016-1085, 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 targets for cyber attacks due to their widespread use and the complex nature of PDF processing. CVE-2016-1086 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability that affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across both Windows and macOS platforms. This vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions prior to 11.0.16, as well as Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions before their respective patches. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory structures during PDF document parsing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through carefully crafted malicious documents. The vulnerability is distinct from numerous other CVEs in the same timeframe, indicating a unique code path or memory handling issue that requires specific remediation approaches. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature typically arise when software fails to properly validate input data or when buffer overflows occur during document processing operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2016-1086 enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems, representing a severe privilege escalation risk. This occurs because the memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite critical program memory locations, potentially redirecting execution flow to malicious code injected into the application's memory space. The vulnerability can be triggered through various PDF document elements including embedded objects, JavaScript, or malformed data structures that cause the application to improperly handle memory allocation and deallocation. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by an affected Adobe product, will cause the application to corrupt memory in a predictable manner that can be leveraged for code execution. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive, disrupting legitimate business operations. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and exploit development, where memory corruption techniques are commonly used to bypass modern security protections such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1086 is substantial for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing and business operations. Given the widespread deployment of these applications across enterprise environments, a successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Acrobat DC creates additional complexity for security teams, as they must ensure all variants are patched across their organization. Organizations with legacy systems or restricted update cycles face particular risk, as the vulnerability may remain unpatched for extended periods. The attack surface is broad since PDF documents can be received through multiple channels including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing systems. Security teams must also consider the potential for zero-day exploitation, as the vulnerability's discovery may have occurred before public disclosure, leaving organizations vulnerable during the window between vulnerability identification and patch availability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation often involves the execution of malicious code within the application's memory space.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1086 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe products to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular scanning for Adobe products and automated patch deployment. Network-based mitigations such as PDF file filtering at email gateways and web proxies can provide additional protection by blocking potentially malicious PDF documents before they reach end-user systems. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF files through Adobe Reader. The vulnerability's memory corruption nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploit mitigation techniques such as stack canaries, heap metadata protection, and memory protection mechanisms that Adobe has implemented in later versions. Regular security awareness training for users about the dangers of opening unexpected PDF attachments is essential, as social engineering remains a common initial vector for exploitation. Organizations should also conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches. The remediation process must account for the different delivery models of Acrobat DC, ensuring that both classic and continuous versions are properly updated. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE database for memory corruption vulnerabilities should be maintained throughout the remediation process, ensuring that all aspects of the vulnerability are properly addressed through both immediate patching and long-term security architecture improvements.