CVE-2016-7008 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-2016-6972, 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-2016-7009, 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 • 10/19/2024
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions, representing a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw exists in the handling of unspecified vectors within the software's processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack surfaces without specific targeting of known patterns. The vulnerability specifically impacts Windows and macOS platforms, with affected versions including Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 11.0.18, as well as Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 15.006.30243 and DC Continuous before 15.020.20039. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution risks, which are commonly classified as CWE-121 and CWE-122 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack surface is broad due to the nature of PDF processing, where maliciously crafted documents can trigger the vulnerability when opened by affected software versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages memory corruption mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate program execution flow through crafted input data. When a user opens a malicious PDF file, the vulnerable software processes the document in a manner that leads to memory corruption, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening actions, requiring no additional user interaction beyond viewing the malicious content. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through memory corruption attacks, and T1068, which involves local privilege escalation through application vulnerabilities. The memory corruption typically occurs during PDF parsing operations where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory regions that control program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to include significant risk of system compromise and data breaches. Organizations using affected Adobe products face potential unauthorized access to sensitive information, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors. Security teams must consider the broad scope of affected software versions and the potential for widespread exploitation across different operating systems and deployment scenarios. The vulnerability's presence in both legacy and newer product lines means that organizations may have multiple attack vectors to defend against, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies and security monitoring. The impact is particularly severe for government agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing and may be targeted by sophisticated adversaries seeking to gain persistent access to their networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions, with particular attention to the specific build numbers mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should implement network-based security controls including PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions to prevent exploitation of unpatched systems. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections or file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of untrusted PDF files, while regular security assessments should verify that all endpoints have been properly updated. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF documents from trusted sources and reporting suspicious file attachments. Organizations should also consider implementing security solutions that can detect and block exploitation attempts based on known malicious PDF signatures and behavioral patterns associated with memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a critical security issue places it at the highest priority for remediation, with patching typically recommended within 24-48 hours of vulnerability disclosure to minimize exposure windows.