CVE-2010-1285 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3.3, and 8.x before 8.2.3 on Windows and Mac OS X, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified manipulations involving the newclass (0x58) operator and an "invalid pointer vulnerability" that triggers memory corruption, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2168 and CVE-2010-2201.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
This vulnerability exists in Adobe Reader and Acrobat software versions prior to 9.3.3 and 8.2.3 respectively, affecting both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. The flaw manifests through manipulations involving the newclass (0x58) operator within the PDF processing engine, creating a memory corruption condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2010-2168 and CVE-2010-2201, this particular weakness specifically targets an invalid pointer vulnerability that occurs during the processing of PDF documents containing crafted malicious content. The vulnerability operates at the core level of Adobe's PDF parsing functionality, where improper handling of the newclass operator leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory management flaws within Adobe's PDF interpreter when processing specially crafted PDF files. When the newclass operator is encountered in malicious PDF content, the software's handling of invalid pointers causes memory corruption that can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption exploits. The attack vector requires an unsuspecting user to open a maliciously crafted PDF file, making this a classic user-initiated attack that leverages social engineering techniques to deliver the payload.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Adobe Reader or Acrobat. This represents a critical security risk as it enables full system compromise without requiring local access or elevated privileges. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack scenarios including phishing emails with malicious attachments, compromised websites serving malicious PDF content, or even through drive-by downloads that automatically execute the exploit when the PDF is opened. The widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as a single compromised system can potentially lead to broader network infiltration and data exfiltration.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of affected software versions, deployment of PDF content filtering solutions, and user education to avoid opening suspicious PDF files. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content inspection systems can help detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing sandboxing technologies for PDF processing and maintaining strict software update policies to ensure all systems remain protected against known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party software updated and maintaining comprehensive security awareness training programs to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that target widely used applications.