CVE-2009-2980 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x before 8.1.7, and 9.x before 9.2 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2980 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions including 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x before 8.1.7, and 9.x before 9.2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which occurs when an integer value exceeds its maximum representable value and wraps around to a smaller value, potentially leading to unexpected behavior in memory management and control flow. The flaw exists in the handling of integer values within the software's processing of PDF documents, specifically when parsing certain data structures that could trigger the overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer values during PDF document parsing operations, where attackers can craft malicious PDF files that contain specially formatted data structures. When the vulnerable software attempts to process these structures, the integer overflow can cause memory corruption, leading to unpredictable behavior in the application's execution flow. This condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the program's control flow, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing, as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users unknowingly open malicious PDF attachments. The attack vector typically involves sending crafted PDF files via email or hosting them on compromised websites, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with untrusted document sources. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially when users have administrative privileges, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including prompt patching of affected versions, deployment of Adobe's security updates, and implementation of PDF content filtering mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage client-side vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious PDF file patterns, alongside user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks. Additionally, organizations should maintain strict software inventory controls to ensure all instances of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are kept up to date with the latest security patches, as this vulnerability was addressed through Adobe's security bulletins and subsequent releases that corrected the integer overflow handling mechanisms.