CVE-2016-1130 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-2016-1128, CVE-2016-1129, 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 cyber adversaries due to their widespread use and complex codebases that introduce numerous potential attack vectors. This particular vulnerability CVE-2016-1130 represents a memory corruption flaw that affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across both Windows and macOS operating systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions before 11.0.16, Acrobat versions before 11.0.16, and various versions of the DC Classic and DC Continuous editions. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through unspecified attack vectors, distinguishing it from over forty other vulnerabilities in the same timeframe that were already catalogued in the CVE database.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of software flaws that can be exploited through improper handling of memory operations within the application's processing pipeline. When Adobe Reader or Acrobat processes certain document elements, particularly those involving complex embedded objects or malformed data structures, the software's memory management routines fail to properly validate input parameters or handle edge cases. This leads to situations where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing for code execution at the privilege level of the running application. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to bypass modern security mitigations such as ASLR, DEP, and stack canaries, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1130 extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Organizations that rely on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing face significant risk when these applications are not properly patched, as the vulnerability can be triggered through seemingly benign PDF files. Attackers can craft malicious documents that appear legitimate to end users but contain carefully constructed payloads designed to exploit the memory corruption flaw. The attack surface is particularly broad given that PDF documents are commonly shared via email, web downloads, and file transfer protocols, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. This vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for persistence, and T1059, which covers command and control through application execution. The potential for remote code execution means that compromised systems could become part of larger attack campaigns, serving as launch points for further reconnaissance or lateral movement within networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be comprehensive and multi-layered to address both immediate protection needs and long-term security posture improvements. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations, ensuring that the latest security updates from Adobe are deployed across all endpoints. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions should be enhanced to detect and block potentially malicious PDF attachments before they reach end users. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Adobe Reader and Acrobat to trusted environments can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious PDF processing activities and anomalous memory usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for exploitation through social engineering campaigns where attackers craft convincing phishing emails with malicious PDF attachments, making user education and awareness programs essential components of any comprehensive mitigation strategy. Regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that all systems have been properly updated and that no legacy installations remain vulnerable to this or similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.