CVE-2016-4102 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability 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-2016-1045, CVE-2016-1046, CVE-2016-1047, CVE-2016-1048, CVE-2016-1049, CVE-2016-1050, CVE-2016-1051, CVE-2016-1052, CVE-2016-1053, CVE-2016-1054, CVE-2016-1055, CVE-2016-1056, CVE-2016-1057, CVE-2016-1058, CVE-2016-1059, CVE-2016-1060, CVE-2016-1061, CVE-2016-1065, CVE-2016-1066, CVE-2016-1067, CVE-2016-1068, CVE-2016-1069, CVE-2016-1070, CVE-2016-1075, CVE-2016-1094, CVE-2016-1121, CVE-2016-1122, and CVE-2016-4107.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in Adobe Reader and Acrobat products that affects multiple versions across different platforms. The flaw occurs when the software handles certain malformed PDF objects, creating a scenario where memory previously freed by the application is accessed again by malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416 which specifically addresses use of freed memory conditions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without user interaction, making it a prime target for zero-day exploits in targeted attacks. Attackers can craft specially designed PDF files that trigger the memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software, enabling them to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the affected system. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS operating systems, demonstrating the cross-platform nature of the flaw and increasing its potential impact. Unlike other similar vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, CVE-2016-4102 represents a distinct code path that was not covered by the previously identified issues, making it particularly concerning for security professionals who must account for all potential attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the memory management routines within Adobe's PDF processing engine to force the application to access memory that has already been deallocated. When the application attempts to dereference pointers to this freed memory, it can be manipulated to execute attacker-controlled code instead of the legitimate program logic. This type of exploitation aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious payloads. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of PDF objects, specifically when handling certain embedded content or JavaScript elements within the document structure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires precise control over the memory layout and can be achieved through sophisticated crafting of PDF files that manipulate the heap allocation and deallocation sequences. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability is particularly challenging to detect because the memory corruption may not immediately manifest in obvious error conditions, allowing attackers to establish persistent footholds before detection occurs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to include significant risk to enterprise environments where Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed. Organizations that have not applied the relevant security patches face substantial risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple document viewing operations, making it extremely difficult to defend against in traditional security monitoring approaches. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Adobe Acrobat products creates a broad attack surface that spans multiple software versions and deployment models. Security teams must consider that the vulnerability could be exploited in phishing campaigns, malicious document delivery attacks, or supply chain compromises where attackers target the most commonly used PDF viewing applications. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise security, as it can be exploited through automated means without requiring social engineering or user deception. Organizations that rely on Adobe Reader for document processing in sensitive environments face elevated risk of data breaches, privilege escalation, and system compromise. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers could establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware components through this vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on immediate patching of all affected Adobe products, including both the classic and continuous delivery versions of Acrobat and Reader. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that limit PDF file access to trusted sources and employ sandboxing techniques to isolate PDF processing activities. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious PDF file characteristics and unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-based defenses can be enhanced through content filtering solutions that scan PDF documents for known malicious patterns or suspicious structures. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free condition means that memory corruption prevention techniques such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention should be enabled on all systems. Regular security assessments should verify that all Adobe products are updated to the latest versions, with particular attention to the specific patch versions mentioned in Adobe's security bulletins. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF files, and maintain detailed monitoring of system access logs for any unauthorized execution of Adobe applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with delayed patch management in enterprise environments where legacy applications continue to be used.