CVE-2016-4090 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-2016-1130, CVE-2016-4088, CVE-2016-4089, 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 • 10/23/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been prime targets for cyber adversaries due to their widespread deployment and the privileged execution context they operate in. This particular vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across both Windows and macOS operating systems, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from unspecified vectors within the software's handling of certain document elements, which can lead to memory corruption and subsequent arbitrary code execution. This flaw is distinct from a series of other vulnerabilities affecting the same product line, indicating a unique code path that requires specific exploitation techniques.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability places it within the purview of common software security flaws categorized under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. These types of vulnerabilities typically arise when applications fail to properly validate input data or when they perform operations that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The affected Adobe products process various document formats including pdf files, which can contain embedded scripts, images, and other complex elements that may trigger the vulnerable code paths during parsing operations. Attackers can craft malicious documents that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, will execute code with the privileges of the user running the application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly deployed for document viewing and processing. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers could potentially gain full system access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads without requiring local system access. The denial of service component adds to the threat landscape by allowing attackers to disrupt business operations through service interruption, which can be particularly damaging in mission-critical environments. The vulnerability affects both the classic and continuous deployment models of Adobe Acrobat DC, indicating that the flaw exists at a fundamental level within the application architecture rather than being isolated to specific deployment configurations.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple document viewing scenarios, as it can be triggered through various means including web-based attacks, email attachments, or file sharing platforms where PDF documents are commonly distributed. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat should consider implementing immediate mitigations including disabling the PDF plugin in web browsers, using sandboxing techniques, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the broader ATT&CK framework would likely fall under techniques such as T1059 for command and script execution, and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, making it a significant concern for security operations centers monitoring for advanced persistent threats.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Adobe has released updates addressing this vulnerability in versions 11.0.16 and later. The patching process should be carefully planned to ensure compatibility with existing document workflows and to minimize business disruption while maintaining security. Additional defensive measures including email filtering, web application firewalls, and user education about the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents can provide layered protection against exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of older software versions that may not have been updated, as these could continue to serve as attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how legacy software components can maintain security risks long after their initial release, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and patch management processes across all enterprise systems.