CVE-2016-1120 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-2016-1086, CVE-2016-1088, CVE-2016-1093, CVE-2016-1095, CVE-2016-1116, CVE-2016-1118, CVE-2016-1119, 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 • 10/22/2024
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 affects multiple versions of Adobe's desktop applications across different operating systems, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors. The vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. Unlike other CVEs in the same timeframe, this specific flaw represents a distinct vector that requires careful analysis of the underlying code structure and memory management mechanisms within Adobe's PDF rendering engine. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 indicates it involves an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to memory corruption, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the PDF processing components of Adobe's applications. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that trigger memory corruption when the application attempts to parse specific elements within the document structure. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient bounds checking or improper memory allocation practices during PDF parsing operations. The memory corruption can occur through various attack vectors including malformed objects, incorrect stream handling, or improper processing of embedded content within PDF files. The exploitation process often involves precise control over memory layout and can be amplified by leveraging other security features within the operating system such as ASLR and DEP protections. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability shares characteristics with other memory corruption flaws but operates through distinct code paths that distinguish it from the numerous related CVEs mentioned in the description.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios to encompass broader security implications for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can allow attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on targeted systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The denial of service aspect can also be leveraged to disrupt business operations by making critical PDF processing capabilities unavailable to legitimate users. Organizations using older versions of Adobe products face increased risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently encounter PDF documents from external sources. The vulnerability's presence across multiple product lines including both classic and continuous delivery versions demonstrates the widespread nature of the flaw within Adobe's product ecosystem. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where patch management processes may be delayed or incomplete, creating extended windows of exposure for targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations. Organizations must ensure that all systems running vulnerable versions receive the appropriate security updates from Adobe, which typically include memory corruption fixes and enhanced input validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and PDF file filtering can serve as additional defensive measures to prevent potentially malicious documents from reaching end users. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious PDF-related activities and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under attack frameworks such as the MITRE ATT&CK matrix would likely involve techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation, making comprehensive security monitoring essential. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure. Additionally, user education programs can help reduce the risk of successful exploitation by teaching users to recognize potentially malicious PDF files and avoid opening attachments from untrusted sources.