Adobe Reader DC XFA maxChars Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

October 11th, 2016
ZDI-16-554 ZDI-CAN-3845

CVE ID

CVE-2016-6946

CVSS Score

6.8 AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Affected Vendors

Adobe

Affected Products

Acrobat Reader DC

Vulnerability Details


This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Adobe Reader DC. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the handling of XFA maxChars. The issue lies in the failure to properly validate the existence of an object prior to performing operations on it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process.

Additional Details

Adobe has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb16-33.html

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2016-06-30 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2016-10-11 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

Sebastian Apelt
siberas

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