CVE-2016-6960 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-2016-6959, 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 flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability exists within the handling of unspecified vectors in the software's processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors without specific disclosure of the exact technical weakness. The affected versions span across legacy Acrobat 11.0.18, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic 15.006.30243, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous 15.020.20039, indicating a widespread issue affecting both traditional and continuous delivery models of the software. This vulnerability operates outside the scope of previously identified issues, suggesting it represents a distinct code path or processing logic that was not covered by existing patches or mitigations for the related CVEs.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability places it squarely within the domain of software reliability and exploitability, where improper memory handling can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient input validation, buffer overflows, or improper memory management practices during document processing. The vulnerability's classification aligns with common attack patterns that leverage memory corruption to gain unauthorized system access or cause service disruption, making it a significant concern for enterprise security. The unspecified nature of the vectors suggests that attackers could potentially leverage various document formats or processing scenarios to trigger the memory corruption, increasing the attack surface and exploitability of the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise to include potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations using affected Adobe products face substantial risk when processing untrusted documents, as a single malicious file could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both Windows and OS X platforms, indicating a cross-platform threat that requires comprehensive security measures across different operating environments. Attackers could potentially craft malicious PDF files or other document formats that trigger the memory corruption when opened by vulnerable software, leading to remote code execution in the context of the user's privileges. The severity of the impact is amplified by the fact that these applications are widely deployed in enterprise environments, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking persistent access to organizational networks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected versions, as Adobe has released updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, including sandboxing or virtualized environments for processing untrusted documents, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly unusual network connections or system behavior following document processing activities. The remediation approach should align with established security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, focusing on protecting critical assets and maintaining operational resilience. Additional defensive measures may include email filtering, web application firewalls, and user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted documents, though the most effective defense remains timely patch management and software updates to prevent exploitation of the underlying memory corruption flaw.