CVE-2016-7854 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-2016-7011, CVE-2016-7012, CVE-2016-7013, CVE-2016-7014, CVE-2016-7015, CVE-2016-7016, CVE-2016-7017, CVE-2016-7018, CVE-2016-7019, CVE-2016-7852, and CVE-2016-7853.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat products have long been targets for cyber attacks due to their widespread use and complex codebases that handle diverse document formats. CVE-2016-7854 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 and Acrobat versions before 11.0.18, along with various DC Classic and DC Continuous versions. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through unspecified attack vectors that differ from numerous other vulnerabilities documented in the same timeframe.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within Adobe's document parsing routines, which can be exploited through crafted malicious PDF files. When the vulnerable software processes these specially constructed documents, memory corruption occurs that allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow. This type of vulnerability typically manifests as heap-based or stack-based buffer overflows, or more sophisticated memory corruption patterns that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential entry points within the software's processing pipeline, making it particularly challenging to defend against comprehensively. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the memory corruption aspect extends beyond simple buffer issues to include more complex heap manipulation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7854 is significant for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on targeted systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The denial of service component means that even if code execution is not achieved, legitimate users may experience service disruption through application crashes or system instability. Organizations using these software versions are particularly vulnerable in environments where users frequently open untrusted PDF documents, such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing systems. The vulnerability's presence across multiple product lines including both legacy and newer DC versions means that comprehensive patch management becomes critical, as organizations cannot rely on simply updating one product line to achieve protection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7854 require immediate patch deployment from Adobe, as the vulnerability exists in multiple versions that were widely distributed. Organizations should implement layered security approaches including email filtering to block suspicious PDF attachments, web application firewalls to monitor PDF file handling, and user education to avoid opening untrusted documents. Network segmentation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for unusual process behavior or memory access patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) when exploited, as attackers may use the initial compromise to establish persistence or execute additional malicious payloads. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability, as it represents a persistent threat vector that requires ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts to maintain effective security postures.