CVE-2016-4103 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-2016-4096, CVE-2016-4097, CVE-2016-4098, CVE-2016-4099, CVE-2016-4100, CVE-2016-4101, CVE-2016-4104, and CVE-2016-4105.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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 complex nature of PDF processing. CVE-2016-4103 represents a memory corruption vulnerability that affects multiple versions of Adobe's desktop applications across Windows and macOS platforms. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that have historically enabled attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that differ from a comprehensive list of related vulnerabilities, indicating this represents a distinct threat model within Adobe's PDF processing engine. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient bounds checking during PDF object parsing, particularly when handling malformed or maliciously crafted PDF documents. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures, potentially leading to code execution at privilege levels corresponding to the victim's session.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2016-4103 leverages the inherent complexity of PDF document parsing and rendering within Adobe's proprietary libraries. When a vulnerable application processes a malicious PDF file, the memory corruption occurs during the interpretation of PDF objects, particularly in structures related to document parsing or object handling. Attackers can craft PDF documents that trigger memory corruption when the target application attempts to render or process specific elements within the document. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to run arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software. This aligns with common attack patterns found in the ATT&CK framework under techniques such as exploitation for privilege escalation and execution through malicious documents. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Adobe Acrobat DC indicates it affects the core processing engine rather than being limited to specific deployment models.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of CVE-2016-4103 presents significant risk to organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from external sources or email attachments. Security teams must understand that this vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting end users, as PDF documents are commonly used for phishing attacks and malware distribution. The memory corruption nature means that exploitation could result in system crashes or more sophisticated attacks where attackers gain persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations should consider the vulnerability's impact on their overall security posture, particularly in environments where Adobe products are extensively used for business-critical document processing. The vulnerability's presence in multiple product versions also complicates remediation efforts, requiring comprehensive patch management across different Adobe product lines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4103 should include immediate patch deployment from Adobe, which addresses the underlying memory corruption issues in the affected software versions. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures such as PDF document scanning, sandboxing of PDF processing, and network-based controls to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to defense-in-depth approaches, where multiple layers of security can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual PDF processing behavior or attempts to load malicious documents. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE database helps organizations understand the specific memory corruption patterns that make this vulnerability exploitable. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering and web proxy controls to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious PDF documents. The ATT&CK framework suggests that defenders should monitor for suspicious document processing activities and implement user awareness training to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks targeting this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all affected Adobe installations are properly patched and that no legacy systems remain vulnerable to this and similar memory corruption threats.