CVE-2016-4092 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4091.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4092 represents a critical security flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions and operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management mechanisms within Adobe's document processing libraries, creating conditions where maliciously crafted PDF files can trigger memory corruption during document rendering operations. The flaw exists in the way these applications handle memory allocation and data processing when encountering certain PDF elements, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard document viewing operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within Adobe's PDF parsing and rendering components, particularly affecting the heap memory structures used to store and manage document data during processing. When the affected applications encounter malformed or specially constructed PDF content, the buffer overflow occurs in heap-allocated memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory areas where memory is dynamically allocated and deallocated during program execution. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway typically involves crafting PDF files with maliciously sized data structures that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4092 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Adobe application, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's software including Reader 11.0.15 and earlier, Acrobat 11.0.15 and earlier, and various versions of the DC Classic and Continuous editions, creating a broad attack surface across different deployment scenarios. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used for document distribution and viewing, making it a prime target for targeted attacks and supply chain compromises.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-4092 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Adobe, which address the underlying heap memory management issues through proper bounds checking and memory allocation procedures. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of patches for Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 11.0.16, 15.006.30172, and 15.016.20039 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the heap-based buffer overflow conditions. Additional defensive measures include implementing PDF sandboxing features, restricting Adobe Reader execution to restricted environments, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious PDF content. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through legitimate application interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security assessments of document handling processes, and user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted PDF files to minimize exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities.