CVE-2016-6965 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-2016-6961, CVE-2016-6962, CVE-2016-6963, CVE-2016-6964, 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 Reader and Acrobat products that affects multiple versions across different operating systems. The flaw occurs when the software handles certain malformed or specially crafted PDF files, leading to memory management issues that can be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free error which falls under CWE-416, indicating that the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating potential for arbitrary code execution. Unlike other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, CVE-2016-6965 operates through distinct exploitation vectors that make it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory objects within the PDF parsing engine of Adobe's software suite. When processing specific PDF constructs, the application fails to properly manage object lifecycles, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory contents after they have been deallocated. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical function pointers or execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS platforms, demonstrating the cross-platform nature of the underlying memory management flaw. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability can be triggered through various PDF elements including embedded objects, JavaScript execution, or malformed stream data that the application processes during document rendering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve full system compromise. The use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be reliably exploited across different environments, making it attractive to both nation-state actors and criminal organizations. Successful exploitation typically results in remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious PDF file, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for persistence. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy and newer versions of Adobe Acrobat products means that organizations with diverse software environments face significant risk, particularly those that have not implemented timely patches or updated to the latest security releases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch management and software updates to the affected versions mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations should prioritize updating to Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 11.0.18, 15.006.30243, or 15.020.20039 respectively, as these contain the necessary fixes for the memory management issues. Additional protective measures include implementing PDF content filtering, deploying sandboxing solutions, and configuring email security appliances to scan and block potentially malicious PDF attachments. Security teams should also consider network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious PDF-related activity, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised applications that embed PDF content. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated software to ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing business processes or document workflows.