CVE-2016-4105 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-2016-4103, and CVE-2016-4104.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been prime targets for cyber attackers due to their widespread deployment and the complex nature of PDF processing. CVE-2016-4105 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability that affects multiple versions of Adobe's desktop applications across Windows and macOS platforms. This vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution flaws, where attackers can potentially gain complete control over affected systems through maliciously crafted PDF files. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be triggered during normal PDF document processing, making it particularly dangerous as users may encounter malicious content while performing routine tasks such as opening legitimate documents.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory structures during PDF parsing operations, leading to potential buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2016-1037 through CVE-2016-4104 which may have different attack vectors or exploitation techniques, CVE-2016-4105 specifically targets memory management within the Adobe Acrobat processing engine. This flaw can result in either remote code execution or denial of service conditions, depending on the specific exploitation scenario and system configuration. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple document viewing as it affects the underlying security architecture of the application, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and establish persistent access to compromised systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing and sharing. The attack surface is broad as PDF files are commonly used in business communications, legal documents, and various enterprise workflows. The memory corruption aspect means that even simple PDF documents could contain malicious payloads that exploit this vulnerability when opened by vulnerable applications. Security professionals must consider that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the deployment of additional malware. Organizations may face compliance issues if this vulnerability is exploited to access sensitive information, particularly in regulated industries where document security is paramount. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous delivery versions of Adobe Acrobat DC indicates that the flaw affects multiple product lines, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies across all affected installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4105 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Adobe, as the vendor has released updates addressing this specific memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also consider disabling Adobe Reader's JavaScript functionality where possible, as many PDF-based attacks leverage JavaScript execution capabilities. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) categories, indicating that proper bounds checking and memory management practices are essential for preventing such flaws. Additionally, organizations should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement threat hunting activities focused on potential exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) when successfully exploited. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that all affected systems have been properly updated and that no residual risks remain.