CVE-2016-4215 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 bypass JavaScript API execution restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to the mentioned patches contain a critical vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent JavaScript API execution restrictions through unspecified vectors. This vulnerability affects multiple product versions across different platforms including Windows and OS X operating systems. The flaw resides in the JavaScript engine implementation within Adobe's document processing software, where certain security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized API access have been bypassed. The vulnerability specifically targets the restrictions that normally limit what JavaScript functions can be executed within the context of PDF documents, potentially allowing malicious code to access restricted APIs that should remain protected from unauthorized execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of JavaScript API calls within the Adobe Acrobat environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PDF documents that contain specially constructed JavaScript code designed to bypass the normal execution restrictions imposed by the software's security model. This allows the malicious code to access and utilize restricted JavaScript APIs that would normally be unavailable to standard PDF document execution contexts. The vulnerability essentially creates a pathway for attackers to elevate privileges or access functionality that should be restricted, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways exist, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it may be exploitable through various methods including malformed PDF files, embedded JavaScript code, or other document manipulation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it undermines the fundamental security model of Adobe Reader and Acrobat software. Organizations that rely on these applications for document processing and viewing become vulnerable to attacks where malicious documents can execute unauthorized code with elevated privileges. This could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of additional malicious software. The vulnerability affects both legacy versions and newer DC (Dynamic Content) versions, indicating a persistent flaw in the software's JavaScript security implementation. Security professionals must consider that users with default Adobe Reader installations are at risk, potentially leading to widespread exploitation across organizations that have not updated their software. The impact extends beyond individual users to enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged and processed, creating multiple potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Adobe. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat that address this specific flaw, ensuring that all systems are running patched versions before they are exposed to potentially malicious PDF content. Network administrators should implement additional security measures such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to reduce the risk of exploitation even if individual systems are not immediately patched. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which describes weaknesses in memory handling, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through document-based attacks. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF file execution and JavaScript behavior, particularly in environments where PDF documents are frequently processed. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.