CVE-2016-1128 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-2016-1126, CVE-2016-1127, 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 targets for sophisticated cyber attacks due to their widespread use in document processing and the complex nature of their codebases. This particular vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's flagship software across different platforms including Windows and OS X operating systems. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is distinct from numerous other CVEs published in the same timeframe, indicating a unique attack surface that requires specific exploitation techniques.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper handling of input data within the Adobe Reader and Acrobat processing engines. When these applications process maliciously crafted PDF files, the memory management mechanisms fail to properly validate or sanitize the data structures, leading to unpredictable memory states. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors are present in the parsing logic for PDF objects. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could be triggered through various PDF elements including embedded scripts, images, or structural components that are processed during document rendering.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code on victim systems without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. This makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where adversaries can craft PDFs to exploit this weakness. The potential for denial of service means that even if code execution is not achieved, the vulnerability can still be used to disrupt operations by crashing the application or consuming system resources. The impact extends beyond individual users to enterprise environments where PDF processing is common across multiple departments and applications.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The most critical mitigation is to apply the vendor-provided patches immediately, as Adobe released updates specifically addressing this issue in versions 11.0.16, 15.006.30172, and 15.016.20039. Network-based defenses such as email filtering and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious PDF attachments before they reach end users. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing can limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Security teams should also consider restricting PDF file handling in high-risk environments and implementing user education programs to recognize suspicious document attachments. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the attack technique matrix under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for execution, making it a significant concern for enterprise security postures.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex software applications that handle untrusted input data. The memory corruption nature of the flaw represents a fundamental security issue that can be exploited across different execution contexts, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. The fact that this vulnerability exists in multiple product versions indicates a systemic issue in the software's input validation mechanisms that requires comprehensive remediation efforts. Organizations must maintain vigilant patch management practices and continuously monitor for similar vulnerabilities that may be discovered in other Adobe products or third-party software components. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution and system compromise.