CVE-2016-6959 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-2016-6955, CVE-2016-6956, 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
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been prime targets for cyber attacks due to their widespread use and the complex nature of their PDF processing engines. This particular vulnerability CVE-2016-6959 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that affects multiple versions of Adobe's desktop applications across Windows and macOS platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain PDF objects during parsing operations, creating opportunities for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same advisory, this flaw operates through distinct exploitation vectors that make it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption issues that occur when Adobe's PDF processing libraries handle malformed or specially crafted PDF documents. Attackers can leverage this weakness by preparing malicious PDF files that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within the application's memory management systems. These conditions allow adversaries to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability affects both the traditional Acrobat and Reader installations as well as the newer DC Classic and Continuous delivery models, indicating a fundamental flaw in the underlying PDF parsing infrastructure that spans multiple product variants.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2016-6959 extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Adobe Reader remains widely deployed for document viewing. Organizations that have not updated their systems to the patched versions face substantial exposure to targeted attacks, particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government where sensitive document handling is common. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121 for heap-based buffer overflow conditions and CWE-122 for stack-based buffer overflow, both of which are commonly exploited in advanced persistent threat campaigns. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates outside the typical attack patterns associated with other CVEs in the same advisory, making it more difficult to detect through conventional signature-based systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows established attack frameworks from the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, particularly leveraging techniques from the T1059 command and scripting interpreter and T1203 legitimate program paths categories. Attackers often combine this vulnerability with social engineering campaigns to deliver malicious PDF documents that appear legitimate to end users. The memory corruption aspects of the vulnerability make it particularly challenging to defend against using traditional endpoint protection solutions, as the malicious code execution can occur without triggering standard antivirus signatures. Organizations should implement layered defense strategies including regular patch management, application whitelisting, and network-based intrusion detection systems to mitigate the risk. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all Adobe products, as the affected versions represent a significant window of exposure that attackers can exploit for extended periods.