CVE-2016-4255 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
The CVE-2016-4255 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions and operating systems. This vulnerability exists within the memory management mechanisms of these widely used PDF processing applications, creating a pathway for malicious actors to potentially gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The flaw manifests specifically in the handling of memory objects that are freed but subsequently accessed, a condition that can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow and ultimately achieve arbitrary code execution on targeted systems. The vulnerability impacts both Windows and macOS environments, extending its reach across diverse computing platforms where Adobe's PDF processing solutions are deployed.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation practices within Adobe's PDF processing libraries. When the application processes certain malformed PDF files or specific embedded objects, it may free memory resources while maintaining references to those locations. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that trigger this condition during normal document parsing operations, causing the application to execute code from controlled memory locations. This flaw operates at a fundamental level of memory management where the application fails to properly track object lifecycles, creating opportunities for heap-based exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 indicates a clear violation of proper memory management practices, specifically the freeing of memory that is subsequently accessed.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4255 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass significant security risks for enterprise environments and individual users. Organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing face potential compromise through targeted attacks exploiting this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users regularly open PDF attachments from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. This risk is particularly elevated in corporate settings where Adobe Reader remains the default PDF viewer for numerous business-critical applications and document workflows. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy and newer versions of Adobe's products means that organizations cannot rely on simple version checks to determine exposure levels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4255 require immediate action through official security patches provided by Adobe, as well as organizational measures to reduce attack surface. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to versions 11.0.17, 15.006.30198, or 15.017.20050 respectively, depending on their current product version. Additionally, implementing security controls such as PDF sandboxing features, restricting PDF file handling through email gateways, and employing application whitelisting can provide layered protection against exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures including network segmentation, endpoint detection and response solutions, and user education regarding suspicious PDF attachments. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and patch management programs to prevent exploitation of known memory corruption flaws in widely deployed software applications.