CVE-2016-1124 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-2016-1120, CVE-2016-1123, 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
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions, representing a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw exists in the handling of unspecified vectors within the software's processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors without specific targeting. The vulnerability is distinct from numerous other CVEs in the same timeframe, indicating a unique code path or memory handling issue that differs from previously identified weaknesses in the Adobe ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during document processing, where maliciously crafted PDF files can trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, potentially gaining full system compromise. The memory corruption aspect suggests that the application fails to properly validate input data or manage memory allocation during PDF parsing operations, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory segments or manipulate program execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with common software security flaws classified under CWE-122, which deals with heap-based buffer overflows, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. The attack surface is broad due to the widespread use of these applications, particularly in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The potential for remote code execution means that a single compromised document could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within networks. The denial of service aspect also poses operational risks, as legitimate users could be disrupted by malicious documents causing application crashes or system instability. Organizations using these products are particularly vulnerable because the exploitation can occur without user interaction, making it an ideal candidate for automated attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, as Adobe released updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in their subsequent releases. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, including sandboxing PDF processing environments and restricting access to potentially malicious documents. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious PDF files before they reach end users. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents remains critical, though this approach is less effective against sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, indicates that successful exploitation could lead to elevated system privileges, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including least privilege access controls and regular security assessments of document handling processes.