CVE-2003-0142 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat Reader (acroread) 6, under certain circumstances when running with the "Certified plug-ins only" option disabled, loads plug-ins with signatures used for older versions of Acrobat, which can allow attackers to cause Acrobat to enter Certified mode and run untrusted plugins by modifying the CTIsCertifiedMode function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2024
This vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6 represents a critical security flaw that exploits the software's plugin loading mechanism when the "Certified plug-ins only" security option is disabled. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate plugin signatures during the loading process, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through the manipulation of certified plugin functionality.
The technical flaw specifically targets the CTIsCertifiedMode function within the Acrobat Reader application, which is responsible for determining whether plugins should operate in certified mode. When this function is modified by an attacker, it allows the application to bypass its normal security restrictions and execute untrusted plugins that would otherwise be blocked. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the security boundary between trusted and untrusted code is compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Acrobat Reader application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install malware, steal sensitive data, or perform other malicious activities without requiring elevated system privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently within the application's normal operation, making detection difficult.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-170, which addresses improper handling of potentially dangerous input, and relates to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient input validation and improper security boundary enforcement can create attack vectors for code execution. Organizations using Acrobat Reader 6 should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the "Certified plug-ins only" option, applying available patches from Adobe, and monitoring for suspicious plugin loading behavior.
The security implications extend beyond immediate code execution to encompass potential data exfiltration and persistence mechanisms. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish backdoors or deploy additional malware components through the compromised Acrobat Reader instance. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper plugin signature validation and maintaining secure application configurations, particularly when dealing with third-party software components that can execute code within the application's security context.