CVE-2016-7009 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-2016-7008, 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
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been targets for cyber attacks due to their widespread use and the complex nature of their codebases. This particular vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue that affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across both Windows and macOS platforms. The flaw exists within the handling of unspecified vector inputs, creating potential pathways for remote code execution or denial of service conditions that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring user interaction.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption patterns that are commonly classified as CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, or CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. These memory corruption vulnerabilities typically arise when applications fail to properly validate input data before processing it, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. The specific vector through which exploitation occurs remains unspecified in the CVE description, but such vulnerabilities often stem from improper handling of malformed PDF files or embedded objects within documents.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. The potential for arbitrary code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, lateral movement within networks, or deployment of additional malware. The denial of service component further compounds the threat by allowing attackers to disrupt business operations through system crashes or unresponsiveness. Organizations with extensive document sharing practices face heightened exposure since PDF files are commonly used for business communications and document exchange.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios to include advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers might leverage this flaw as part of broader attack chains. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and potentially T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where multiple Adobe vulnerabilities may be exploited in sequence to achieve more sophisticated attack objectives.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat software. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks or users. Additionally, deploying sandboxing solutions and implementing strict document validation policies can provide additional defense layers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing business applications or workflows.