CVE-2016-6955 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.18, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30243, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 15.020.20039 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-2016-6940, CVE-2016-6941, CVE-2016-6942, CVE-2016-6943, CVE-2016-6947, CVE-2016-6948, CVE-2016-6950, CVE-2016-6951, CVE-2016-6954, CVE-2016-6956, CVE-2016-6959, CVE-2016-6960, CVE-2016-6966, CVE-2016-6970, CVE-2016-6972, CVE-2016-6973, CVE-2016-6974, CVE-2016-6975, CVE-2016-6976, CVE-2016-6977, CVE-2016-6978, CVE-2016-6995, CVE-2016-6996, CVE-2016-6997, CVE-2016-6998, CVE-2016-7000, CVE-2016-7001, CVE-2016-7002, CVE-2016-7003, CVE-2016-7004, CVE-2016-7005, CVE-2016-7006, CVE-2016-7007, CVE-2016-7008, CVE-2016-7009, CVE-2016-7010, CVE-2016-7011, CVE-2016-7012, CVE-2016-7013, CVE-2016-7014, CVE-2016-7015, CVE-2016-7016, CVE-2016-7017, CVE-2016-7018, and CVE-2016-7019.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions, representing a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw exists in the handling of unspecified input vectors within the software's processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors without specific details provided in the CVE description. The vulnerability specifically impacts Windows and macOS operating systems, indicating a cross-platform threat that requires comprehensive remediation strategies across different environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common memory corruption patterns found in software applications, where improper input validation or handling of malformed data leads to unpredictable behavior in memory management. This type of flaw typically arises from buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that allow attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the scope of CWE-122 (Heap Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-Bounds Read) categories, which are frequently targeted by attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing and sharing. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The denial of service component of the vulnerability also poses risks to business continuity, as it could render critical document processing systems unavailable to legitimate users. This vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious PDF files through email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches and updates for all affected versions of Reader and Acrobat products. Organizations should implement network segmentation and endpoint protection measures to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software and monitor for suspicious PDF file handling activities. Additionally, user education regarding safe document handling practices and awareness of social engineering techniques that might deliver malicious PDF files remains crucial for comprehensive defense. The vulnerability's relationship to the broader set of CVEs mentioned in the description indicates that this represents part of a coordinated exploitation campaign targeting Adobe's products, requiring organizations to maintain vigilance against related threats and ensure complete patch coverage across all affected software versions.