CVE-2016-4192 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.17, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30198, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 15.017.20050 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-2016-4191, CVE-2016-4193, CVE-2016-4194, CVE-2016-4195, CVE-2016-4196, CVE-2016-4197, CVE-2016-4198, CVE-2016-4199, CVE-2016-4200, CVE-2016-4201, CVE-2016-4202, CVE-2016-4203, CVE-2016-4204, CVE-2016-4205, CVE-2016-4206, CVE-2016-4207, CVE-2016-4208, CVE-2016-4211, CVE-2016-4212, CVE-2016-4213, CVE-2016-4214, CVE-2016-4250, CVE-2016-4251, CVE-2016-4252, and CVE-2016-4254.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been prime targets for cyber adversaries due to their widespread deployment and the complex nature of their PDF processing engines. This particular vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across different platforms including 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, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are commonly used for document review and processing.
The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures within the PDF parsing components of Adobe's software suite. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, trigger memory corruption during the document rendering process. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that the attack surface is broad and may involve multiple code paths within the PDF engine that handle different types of document elements or features.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Adobe's document processing software for business operations. The memory corruption can manifest in various ways including application crashes, unexpected behavior, or more critically, full system compromise when exploited. Security researchers have noted that PDF-based attacks remain one of the most prevalent attack vectors in enterprise environments, with the complexity of PDF format parsing making it difficult to achieve complete input validation. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy and newer versions of the software means that organizations cannot simply rely on having the latest version to be protected, as older versions like 11.0.17 and specific DC versions remain vulnerable.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of exploitation for execution, specifically targeting software vulnerabilities in commonly used applications. This vulnerability can be classified under CWE-125 as "Out-of-bounds Read" or related memory corruption issues that allow attackers to manipulate memory contents. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including regular patch management, application whitelisting, email filtering, and user education to mitigate risks associated with this type of vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files can be easily distributed through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making it a persistent threat vector that requires continuous monitoring and remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of patches provided by Adobe for all affected versions, network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems, and implementation of security controls such as sandboxing PDF processing or using alternative document viewers for sensitive environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the ongoing challenge of securing complex software applications that handle untrusted input from multiple sources. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe software and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.