CVE-2016-1126 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-2016-1124, CVE-2016-1125, 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, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these document processing tools. The flaw 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 vulnerability represents a distinct attack surface that specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within Adobe's document processing engine. The vulnerability impacts both Windows and macOS operating systems, expanding its potential attack surface significantly.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during document processing operations. When Adobe Reader or Acrobat encounters certain malformed or specially crafted PDF files, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate input data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation details suggest a more complex memory corruption scenario. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate document processing activities, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious file interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it represents a critical weakness in enterprise document processing workflows. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document exchange, particularly those in financial services, government, or healthcare sectors, face significant risk exposure. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service means that legitimate business operations could be disrupted, while the arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with a potential foothold for broader network infiltration. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly when analyzing attack patterns that involve document-based delivery mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment, as Adobe released specific updates to address this vulnerability in their affected product lines. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, specifically targeting the versions mentioned in the advisory. Network-based defenses including email filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though these measures are not sufficient on their own. The vulnerability's characteristics align with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing zero-trust security models. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability, as it may be exploited in targeted attacks where adversaries seek to leverage the widespread use of Adobe products to gain unauthorized system access.