CVE-2016-3370 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The PDF library in Microsoft Edge, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted web site, aka "PDF Library Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3374.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2022
The CVE-2016-3370 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft's PDF library implementation across multiple operating system versions. This vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Edge browser and various Windows operating systems including Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 versions 1511 and 1607. The flaw enables remote attackers to extract sensitive information through carefully crafted web pages that leverage the PDF rendering capabilities of the affected systems. This vulnerability operates at the core of how Microsoft Edge processes PDF content, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure that could compromise system security and user privacy.
The technical mechanism behind this information disclosure vulnerability involves improper handling of memory structures within the PDF library component. When Microsoft Edge encounters a malicious PDF document or webpage that triggers the PDF rendering engine, the library fails to properly validate or sanitize memory access patterns. This allows attackers to craft specific web content that can cause the PDF library to leak memory contents, potentially exposing sensitive data such as system memory addresses, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations and individual users who rely on Microsoft Edge for web browsing. The information disclosure could potentially enable attackers to gather system configuration details, memory layout information, or other sensitive data that could be used to facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across enterprise environments where these operating systems are deployed. Security researchers have classified this issue as particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through web browsers, making it accessible to threat actors without requiring physical access to target systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest Microsoft security patches that address this vulnerability, as well as deploying network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper information disclosure in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution through web-based attacks. Additionally, security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure risks in the environment.