CVE-2016-4257 in Digital Editions
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Digital Editions before 4.5.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4256, CVE-2016-4258, CVE-2016-4259, CVE-2016-4260, CVE-2016-4261, and CVE-2016-4262.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2022
Adobe Digital Editions version 4.5.1 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from other related CVEs in the same year, indicating a separate code path or implementation issue within the software's memory management systems. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple entry points could potentially trigger the memory corruption, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various methods including malformed file processing, network-based attacks, or user interaction with malicious content. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of specific data structures or memory allocations that lead to unpredictable behavior when processing certain inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within Adobe Digital Editions, likely involving buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption mechanisms that fall under common weakness enumerations such as CWE-119 for memory corruption or CWE-787 for out-of-bounds write conditions. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the application to crash or potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. The memory corruption issues typically manifest when the application attempts to access or modify memory locations that have been freed, overwritten, or otherwise improperly managed. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in digital content management applications that process various file formats and external data sources, as it creates multiple potential attack surfaces for malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4257 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable complete system compromise when attackers successfully exploit the memory corruption vulnerability. Organizations using Adobe Digital Editions for managing digital content, particularly in enterprise environments where the software handles sensitive or copyrighted materials, face significant risks from this vulnerability. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could install malware, establish backdoors, or gain unauthorized access to systems through compromised Digital Editions installations. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also institutions that rely on the software for digital library management, educational content delivery, or corporate document handling. The memory corruption nature suggests that even successful exploitation attempts may result in system instability or crashes, but the primary concern lies in the potential for code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4257 should focus on immediate patch deployment to Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.2 or later versions, as this represents the official fix for the vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected installations and verify the patch installation through configuration management tools or manual verification processes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those processing untrusted content or files from external sources. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software and monitor for suspicious activities related to Digital Editions processes. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation attempts and establish monitoring protocols for detecting memory corruption-related anomalies in system behavior. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to memory injection and privilege escalation, making comprehensive monitoring and patch management critical for defense.