CVE-2016-6972 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-2016-6960, CVE-2016-6966, CVE-2016-6970, 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
This vulnerability resides within Adobe Reader and Acrobat software products, specifically affecting versions prior to 11.0.18 for classic versions and before 15.006.30243 for DC Classic and 15.020.20039 for DC Continuous across Windows and OS X platforms. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from a comprehensive list of related vulnerabilities, indicating a unique exploitation pathway that requires careful analysis of the software's memory management mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and represent a critical concern for enterprise security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within Adobe's document processing libraries, particularly when parsing maliciously crafted PDF files. Attackers can manipulate the memory layout of the application through carefully constructed input data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability typically manifests when the application fails to properly validate input parameters or when buffer overflows occur during document parsing operations. This memory corruption can result in the execution of attacker-controlled code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially allowing for complete system compromise. The complexity of this issue lies in the sophisticated nature of modern PDF parsers and the intricate memory management operations required to process complex document structures, making such vulnerabilities particularly challenging to detect and patch.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios, encompassing both immediate security risks and broader enterprise implications. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat face significant exposure to targeted attacks where adversaries can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems. The potential for denial of service operations means that legitimate users could experience service interruptions, while the arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through potential data exfiltration, integrity through system compromise, and availability through service disruption. The widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments amplifies the risk, as a single compromised system can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. Organizations must consider the full attack surface that this vulnerability creates, including potential lateral movement opportunities and data persistence mechanisms that attackers might employ.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software versions to address the underlying memory corruption issues. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions that contain fixes for this specific vulnerability, ensuring that all systems running these applications are properly patched. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous behavior in PDF processing activities, including unusual memory consumption patterns or unexpected process executions. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms for PDF file handling can provide isolation between the vulnerable application and the underlying operating system. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block known exploitation patterns associated with memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of Adobe product versions to ensure comprehensive protection against this and related vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including execution through malicious files and privilege escalation, making comprehensive defensive measures essential for enterprise security posture.