CVE-2016-7011 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-2016-7010, 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 their codebases. CVE-2016-7011 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software across Windows and macOS platforms. This vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions prior to 11.0.18, Acrobat versions before 11.0.18, and various iterations of Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions before their respective patched releases. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through unspecified attack vectors that distinguish it from numerous other vulnerabilities within the same timeframe.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of software exploitation techniques that leverage heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient input validation or improper memory management within the PDF parsing engine that processes document structures. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, trigger memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing commands through legitimate system interfaces, and T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7011 extends far beyond individual system compromise, as it affects organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Reader for document processing and sharing. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous deployment models of Acrobat DC means that enterprises with mixed environments face increased risk exposure. Security professionals must consider that this vulnerability, while distinct from other CVEs in the 2016-7010 range, represents part of a broader pattern of memory corruption issues that plagued Adobe's products during this period. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face potential compromise through spearphishing campaigns, malicious document delivery, or supply chain attacks targeting the document processing workflow. The complexity of the exploitation process and the broad range of affected products make this vulnerability particularly concerning for security operations centers that must maintain visibility across diverse software ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7011 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and application of Adobe's security updates. Organizations should prioritize updating to Adobe Reader 11.0.18 or later versions, Acrobat 11.0.18 or later, and the appropriate DC Classic and Continuous releases that address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies, disabling automatic PDF opening in web browsers, and employing sandboxing technologies can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious PDF file handling activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider the broader context of Adobe's vulnerability landscape during 2016 and maintain comprehensive patch management processes to address similar issues that may emerge. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue also necessitates regular security assessments of document processing workflows and consideration of alternative document viewing solutions where appropriate.