CVE-2016-4268 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-2016-4203, 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, CVE-2016-4254, CVE-2016-4265, CVE-2016-4266, CVE-2016-4267, CVE-2016-4269, and CVE-2016-4270.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions including legacy and continuous delivery releases on both windows and os x platforms. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is distinct from several other related issues within the same year, indicating a unique code path or implementation flaw within the affected software components. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may involve multiple entry points including malformed pdf files, embedded objects, or specific processing sequences that trigger the memory corruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under cwe-119 memory corruption flaws, where improper handling of memory operations leads to exploitable conditions. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when applications fail to properly validate input data or manage memory allocation during processing of complex file formats like pdf documents. The memory corruption can manifest through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that allow attackers to manipulate program execution flow. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious pdf files that, when opened by vulnerable software, trigger the corrupted memory state and enable code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on adobe reader and acrobat for document processing and viewing. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers can potentially gain full system control, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware. The denial of service component adds to the operational impact as it can disrupt business processes and document workflows. Organizations using these products in enterprise environments face particular risk since the vulnerability can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or other common attack vectors. The widespread adoption of adobe reader makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affects a large user base across multiple industries and applications.
Security mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to address the memory corruption vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, particularly in high-risk environments. Email filtering and web proxy configurations should be enhanced to detect and block potentially malicious pdf files. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of adobe product installations to ensure all systems are updated. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can further reduce risk by restricting execution of unauthorized software. Additionally, user awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected pdf attachments and encourage reporting suspicious email content. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and implementing comprehensive security controls to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques. The attack patterns associated with such memory corruption vulnerabilities often align with tactics described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and execution phases, making proper defensive measures essential for organizational security posture.