CVE-2005-1347 in Acrobat reader
Summary
by MITRE
** UNVERIFIABLE ** NOTE: this issue describes a problem that can not be independently verified as of 20050421. Adobe Acrobat reader (AcroRd32.exe) 6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service ("Invalid-ID-Handle-Error" error) and modify memory beginning at a particular address, possibly allowing the execution of arbitrary code, via a crafted PDF file. NOTE: the vendor has stated that the reporter refused to provide sufficient details to confirm the issue. In addition, due to the lack of details in the original advisory, an independent verification is not possible. Finally, the reliability of the original reporter is unknown. This item has only been assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes, and to serve as a concrete example of the newly defined UNVERIFIABLE and PRERELEASE content decisions in CVE, which must be discussed by the Editorial Board. Without additional details or independent verification by reliable sources, it is highly likely that this item will be REJECTED.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1347 represents a particularly concerning case of unverifiable security flaws within Adobe Acrobat Reader software. This issue specifically targets versions 6.0 and earlier of the widely used AcroRd32.exe application, which served as the primary PDF viewing platform for millions of users worldwide. The vulnerability's classification as unverifiable stems from fundamental limitations in the original reporting process, where the vendor confirmed that the reporter declined to provide sufficient technical details for independent validation. This lack of verifiable information creates a significant challenge for security professionals attempting to assess the true scope and impact of the potential threat.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through what appears to be an "Invalid-ID-Handle-Error" condition that remote attackers can trigger via specially crafted PDF files. This type of error condition typically indicates improper handling of object identifiers within the PDF parsing mechanism, suggesting that the vulnerability exists in how the application processes certain metadata or object references within the document structure. The flaw's potential to cause denial of service combined with memory modification capabilities at specific addresses indicates a serious weakness in the application's memory management and input validation procedures, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such conditions from occurring.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as the possibility of arbitrary code execution represents a critical security risk that could compromise entire user systems. When a PDF reader application can be manipulated to modify memory at specific addresses, it opens the door to privilege escalation attacks and potential system compromise. This vulnerability would particularly affect organizations that rely heavily on PDF document sharing, as attackers could craft malicious documents that appear legitimate but contain code designed to exploit this memory handling flaw. The risk is amplified by the fact that PDF files are commonly shared through email, web downloads, and document management systems, providing multiple attack vectors for threat actors.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The issue also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code. The lack of independent verification and the vendor's refusal to confirm details makes this case particularly challenging for security researchers and incident responders, as it highlights the importance of proper vulnerability disclosure processes and the need for detailed technical information to properly assess security risks. Organizations should treat this vulnerability as a potential threat even without complete verification, given that the nature of the flaw suggests it could have serious security implications.
The classification of this vulnerability as UNVERIFIABLE by the CVE Editorial Board reflects the critical importance of reliable information in cybersecurity threat assessment. This case serves as a concrete example of how incomplete or unverifiable vulnerability reports can impact security tracking and response efforts, particularly when dealing with pre-release or preliminary vulnerability disclosures. The decision to assign a CVE identifier for tracking purposes while noting the unverifiable nature of the issue demonstrates the evolving nature of vulnerability management and the need for clear communication about the reliability of reported security flaws. Security professionals should remain vigilant about potential threats even when detailed verification is not possible, as the fundamental nature of this vulnerability suggests it could pose significant risks to user systems and organizational security posture.