CVE-2016-4195 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-2016-4192, CVE-2016-4193, CVE-2016-4194, 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
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across Windows and macOS platforms. The issue manifests through unspecified attack vectors that enable adversaries to achieve arbitrary code execution or induce denial of service conditions within the affected applications. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same advisory, CVE-2016-4195 operates as a distinct threat vector requiring separate analysis and mitigation strategies. The vulnerability impacts versions prior to 11.0.17 for traditional Acrobat and Reader installations, as well as specific builds of the DC Classic and DC Continuous variants. This memory corruption vulnerability typically arises from improper handling of malformed input data within the application's processing pipeline, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages memory corruption mechanisms that can be triggered through crafted PDF files or other document formats processed by the affected software. Attackers can construct malicious documents that, when opened or processed by vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, cause memory corruption that leads to arbitrary code execution. The memory corruption typically occurs during parsing or rendering operations where the application fails to properly validate input data before processing. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Adobe Reader's widespread deployment and the typical user behavior of opening PDF documents from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4195 extends beyond simple exploitation to include significant risks for enterprise environments where Adobe Reader remains a primary PDF processing tool. Organizations running vulnerable versions face potential compromise through social engineering attacks targeting PDF documents, as well as automated exploitation attempts from threat actors scanning for this specific vulnerability. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when users have elevated privileges. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS platforms, making it a cross-platform threat that requires comprehensive patch management strategies across diverse operating environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus primarily on immediate patching of affected software versions, as Adobe released updates addressing the memory corruption issues in their respective software releases. System administrators should prioritize deployment of patches for Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to the specified safe versions, particularly in enterprise environments where these applications are widely used. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of users encountering malicious PDF files. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles for Adobe Reader usage and disabling unnecessary features can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized Adobe Reader versions, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption flaw makes it particularly suitable for exploitation through techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation, and T1134, which covers access token manipulation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable software within the enterprise environment.