CVE-2016-6961 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1089, CVE-2016-1091, CVE-2016-6944, CVE-2016-6945, CVE-2016-6946, CVE-2016-6949, CVE-2016-6952, CVE-2016-6953, CVE-2016-6962, CVE-2016-6963, CVE-2016-6964, CVE-2016-6965, CVE-2016-6967, CVE-2016-6968, CVE-2016-6969, CVE-2016-6971, CVE-2016-6979, CVE-2016-6988, and CVE-2016-6993.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in Adobe Acrobat and Reader products that affects multiple versions across different operating systems. The flaw occurs when the software handles certain malformed or crafted input data, leading to memory management issues that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same CVE family, this specific issue involves distinct exploitation vectors that leverage memory corruption techniques to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within Adobe's PDF processing engine. When the application processes certain PDF objects or streams, it fails to properly validate memory references, allowing an attacker to manipulate the memory state of the running process. This condition creates a scenario where freed memory blocks can still be accessed and modified, potentially enabling code execution through memory corruption techniques. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level within the application's memory management subsystem, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include full system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass security controls, install malware, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS platforms, requiring administrators to implement comprehensive patch management strategies across their enterprise environments. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple PDF file manipulation without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how memory corruption flaws can be weaponized in targeted attacks, particularly in enterprise environments where PDF documents are commonly shared. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patch deployment, implementation of Adobe's recommended security configurations, and network-based controls such as PDF file filtering. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious PDF-related activity to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in enterprise environments.