CVE-2016-4203 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-2016-4195, CVE-2016-4196, CVE-2016-4197, CVE-2016-4198, CVE-2016-4199, CVE-2016-4200, CVE-2016-4201, CVE-2016-4202, 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 • 06/26/2024
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. This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue that affects multiple versions of Adobe's flagship software across different operating systems. The flaw enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through unspecified attack vectors that differ from a dozen other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe. Such memory corruption vulnerabilities typically arise from improper handling of user-supplied data during PDF parsing operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious instructions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in the CWE database under categories related to memory safety issues and buffer overflows. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially malformed PDF documents that trigger memory corruption when processed by vulnerable Adobe applications. The exploitation mechanism likely involves manipulating PDF object structures or stream data in ways that cause the application's memory management routines to behave unexpectedly, potentially leading to code execution at privilege levels of the running process. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique for "Exploitation for Code Execution" and represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where PDF processing is common.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass broader security implications for organizations relying on Adobe's PDF software. Given that these applications are frequently used for document exchange in corporate environments, the attack surface is substantial and includes email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing scenarios. The vulnerability affects both legacy versions and newer DC Classic and DC Continuous releases, indicating that the memory corruption issue has persisted across multiple software generations within Adobe's product line. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face risks of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise when processing untrusted PDF content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, as the window for exploitation remains open for organizations with outdated software versions. System administrators should prioritize updating to Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 11.0.17, 15.006.30198, or 15.017.20050 respectively, depending on their software version. Additional defensive measures include implementing PDF sandboxing features, restricting PDF file processing to trusted sources, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management programs, as similar issues in other Adobe products have demonstrated the need for comprehensive vulnerability management strategies. Organizations should also consider alternative document processing solutions or virtualization techniques to reduce exposure while patches are deployed.