CVE-2016-4107 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-2016-4102.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition that affects multiple versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across Windows and macOS platforms. The flaw occurs when the application processes certain malformed input data, leading to memory management issues that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects both the traditional Acrobat and Reader DC Classic versions as well as the newer DC Continuous delivery model, indicating a widespread impact across Adobe's product lineage. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same timeframe such as CVE-2016-1045 through CVE-2016-4102, this specific flaw operates through distinct exploitation vectors that leverage memory corruption patterns.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within Adobe's PDF processing engine. When parsing specific PDF objects or streams, the application fails to properly validate memory references, allowing attackers to manipulate freed memory locations and potentially overwrite critical program structures. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, where a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed. The vulnerability can be triggered through various PDF file structures that cause the application to allocate memory for certain objects, process them, and then free the memory while still maintaining references to it, creating opportunities for code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by an affected application, will trigger the memory corruption leading to remote code execution. The attack surface is particularly broad since PDF files are commonly shared via email, web downloads, and document sharing platforms, making exploitation relatively straightforward. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of Adobe's products, though the specific impact varies based on the operating system and version. Security researchers have noted that exploitation typically requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making this a particularly dangerous threat vector for enterprise environments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and control, specifically targeting application layer execution. The use-after-free condition enables attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges, potentially allowing them to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack pattern where initial compromise occurs through document-based attacks, often leveraging social engineering to convince users to open malicious files. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, particularly when the affected application runs with elevated privileges or when users have administrative access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of all affected Adobe products to the latest available versions, which address the underlying memory management flaws. Organizations should also implement comprehensive email filtering and web content security measures to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious PDF files. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized PDF processing applications, particularly in high-risk environments. Regular security assessments and user awareness training should be conducted to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques.