CVE-2010-0199 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3.2, and 8.x before 8.2.2 on Windows and Mac OS X, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-0198, CVE-2010-0202, and CVE-2010-0203.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2018
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software versions prior to 9.3.2 and 8.2.2 respectively, across both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. The issue stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the software's handling of malformed data structures, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that differ from related CVE-2010-0198, CVE-2010-0202, and CVE-2010-0203, indicating this represents a distinct code path or memory handling mechanism within the application's processing pipeline. The buffer overflow condition typically occurs when the software processes PDF files containing specially crafted malicious content that exceeds the expected buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle of buffer overflow attacks where attackers manipulate input data to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. This memory corruption can redirect program execution flow to attacker-controlled code placed within the overflowed buffer or injected elsewhere in memory space. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple operating systems due to the cross-platform nature of Adobe's implementation, making it particularly dangerous as it affects both Windows and Mac OS X environments. Attackers typically craft malicious PDF documents that trigger the vulnerable code path when the software attempts to render or process specific elements within the document structure.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. The attack surface is broad since PDF files are commonly shared through email attachments, web downloads, and file transfer mechanisms, making successful exploitation relatively easy for threat actors. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows depending on the specific memory allocation patterns within the affected software. The exploitability characteristics match those described in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can leverage the buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for unpatched installations. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying Adobe's security patches releases 9.3.2 and 8.2.2 respectively, which contain fixes addressing the buffer overflow conditions. Additional protective measures include implementing PDF file filtering mechanisms, restricting user permissions for document processing, and deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate vulnerable applications. Network-based defenses such as intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should monitor for suspicious memory access patterns and code injection attempts. Security awareness training for users to avoid opening suspicious PDF files remains crucial, though the vulnerability's nature makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through seemingly legitimate documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing exploitation of buffer overflow conditions, highlighting the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments.