CVE-2016-4096 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-2016-4090, CVE-2016-4093, CVE-2016-4094, 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
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions, specifically targeting Windows and macOS 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 identified in the same year, indicating a unique exploitation vector that requires specific technical analysis. Adobe classified this issue as a critical security flaw requiring immediate attention from users and organizations managing these software applications.
The technical nature of CVE-2016-4096 involves memory corruption vulnerabilities that typically occur when software fails to properly validate input data or manage memory allocation during processing of maliciously crafted PDF files. Attackers can leverage this weakness by preparing specially crafted documents that trigger memory corruption when opened or processed by vulnerable Adobe applications. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow conditions or use-after-free errors that are commonly found in document processing software. These memory corruption flaws often result from insufficient bounds checking or improper memory management during PDF parsing operations.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to include significant business disruption risks. Organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing face potential compromise of their entire document workflow systems. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service means that legitimate users may experience application crashes or system instability, while the arbitrary code execution capability could lead to full system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged and processed, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats and targeted attacks. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across different platforms increases the attack surface significantly.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability, as the software versions mentioned in the CVE description represent vulnerable configurations that require remediation. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat as provided by Adobe, which include patches specifically designed to address the memory corruption issues. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques and restricted user permissions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework where memory corruption vulnerabilities serve as primary entry points for initial compromise, often followed by privilege escalation and lateral movement within target networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper patch management processes, as outlined in industry standards such as those referenced in the CWE database for memory safety issues.