CVE-2016-4270 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-2016-4268, and CVE-2016-4269.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been prime targets for cyber attackers due to their widespread deployment and the complex nature of their PDF parsing engines. This vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4270 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across Windows and macOS platforms. The vulnerability exists within the core parsing functionality of these applications, specifically in how they handle certain PDF objects and structures during document rendering processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness through carefully crafted malicious PDF files that trigger memory corruption conditions when the vulnerable software attempts to process them. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can enable full system compromise. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same advisory, CVE-2016-4270 operates through distinct exploitation vectors that differ from the previously mentioned CVE identifiers, suggesting a separate code path or parsing mechanism within the software architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption patterns commonly associated with buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions, though the exact implementation details remain unspecified in the public disclosure. The affected versions span across Adobe Acrobat 11.0.17 and earlier, as well as various iterations of the DC Classic and DC Continuous editions. The vulnerability manifests when the application encounters malformed PDF content that causes improper memory management during parsing operations. This type of flaw typically stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling routines within the PDF engine, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize data structures before processing them. The memory corruption can occur at various points during document parsing, potentially affecting heap memory regions, stack structures, or other critical memory segments used by the application. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often requires sophisticated social engineering to deliver the malicious payload, as users must open the compromised PDF file for the exploit to trigger.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4270 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities that align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the target system, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile deployment scenarios, though the attack surface is primarily limited to systems where Adobe Reader or Acrobat is installed and actively used. Organizations relying on these applications for document processing face significant risk exposure, as PDF files are commonly shared through email attachments, web downloads, and document management systems. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that the attack surface is broad and can potentially be triggered through various PDF elements including embedded scripts, images, or complex formatting structures. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how application-level flaws in widely deployed software can create persistent security risks that extend across multiple platforms and user environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect against exploitation of CVE-2016-4270, including mandatory software updates to the latest Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions that contain patches for this vulnerability. The recommended remediation approach follows standard vulnerability management protocols and aligns with industry best practices for addressing critical security flaws. Network administrators should consider implementing PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions to provide additional protection layers beyond the standard software patches. The vulnerability's classification under memory corruption patterns makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through automated attack tools, which means that organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Adobe products and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. The implementation of user education programs regarding the risks of opening untrusted PDF files can provide additional defense in depth measures, particularly since many successful attacks rely on social engineering to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Adobe Reader and Acrobat applications in high-risk environments where the potential for exploitation is elevated.