CVE-2016-7010 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-2016-7009, 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 prime targets for cyber adversaries due to their widespread deployment and the complex nature of PDF processing. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7010 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that exists across multiple versions of Adobe's PDF processing software. This vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Reader versions prior to 11.0.18, Acrobat versions before 11.0.18, and various versions of the DC Classic and DC Continuous releases. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that differ from numerous other vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct code execution pathway that requires separate analysis and mitigation strategies.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability places it squarely within the domain of software security flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. Memory corruption vulnerabilities typically arise from improper handling of memory allocation, deallocation, or access patterns within software applications. In the context of PDF processing, these issues often stem from insufficient input validation when parsing PDF objects, streams, or embedded content. The vulnerability likely involves buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that occur during the interpretation of maliciously crafted PDF files. Such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered through legitimate PDF document processing, making them ideal for phishing campaigns or targeted attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7010 extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios to encompass significant enterprise security risks. Organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing face potential compromise when users open malicious PDF files, regardless of whether they are intentionally crafted attacks or the result of supply chain compromises. The vulnerability's presence across multiple product lines and operating systems including Windows and OS X increases the attack surface considerably. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack framework, potentially enabling initial access, privilege escalation, or persistence mechanisms. The memory corruption characteristics suggest this vulnerability could be leveraged for remote code execution, making it particularly attractive for advanced persistent threat actors who seek to establish long-term presence within target networks.
Security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability represents a critical risk that requires immediate attention and remediation. The presence of this flaw in widely deployed software creates a substantial risk for organizations that have not yet updated to patched versions. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected versions, along with network segmentation to limit potential exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) categories, which are commonly targeted by exploit frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional controls such as PDF file scanning, restricted browsing environments, and user education about avoiding suspicious PDF attachments. The specific nature of this vulnerability, being distinct from other CVEs in the same year, indicates that it represents a unique code path that requires careful monitoring and validation of patch effectiveness. Given the widespread use of Adobe products in enterprise environments, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security practices and the potential consequences of delayed patch management.