CVE-2008-4813 in Acrobat
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.1.2 and earlier, and before 7.1.1, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF document that (1) performs unspecified actions on a Collab object that trigger memory corruption, related to a GetCosObj method; or (2) contains a malformed PDF object that triggers memory corruption during parsing.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 8.1.2 and earlier, as well as versions before 7.1.1, contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted PDF documents. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of Collab objects during PDF parsing operations, specifically when the GetCosObj method is invoked on malformed objects. The flaw exists in the way these applications process certain collaborative features within PDF documents, which are designed to support features like form filling and document commenting. When a malicious PDF document contains specially crafted Collab objects, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate the object structure, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary vectors that leverage different aspects of PDF parsing and object handling. The first vector involves triggering memory corruption through unspecified actions on Collab objects that occur during the GetCosObj method execution, which represents a fundamental flaw in how the application manages collaborative document features. The second vector exploits malformed PDF objects that cause memory corruption during the initial parsing phase of document processing. Both attack vectors demonstrate weaknesses in input validation and memory management within the PDF rendering engine, particularly when handling objects that are part of the PDF specification's collaborative features. These conditions create opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised PDF files through email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's PDF processing software, creating a broad attack surface across various organizational environments where these applications are deployed. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing for business operations face significant risk from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and deployment of patches provided by Adobe. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat to the latest available versions that contain fixes for this memory corruption issue. Network-level defenses such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions can provide additional protection by analyzing PDF content before it reaches end-user systems. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious PDF file activity and consider restricting PDF file downloads from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack technique framework, particularly those involving malicious document exploitation and memory corruption attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other software applications. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE catalog for memory safety issues and secure coding practices should be enforced throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions.