CVE-2010-2212 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3.3, and 8.x before 8.2.3 on Windows and Mac OS X, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a PDF file containing Flash content with a crafted #1023 (3FFh) tag, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-1295, CVE-2010-2202, CVE-2010-2207, CVE-2010-2209, CVE-2010-2210, and CVE-2010-2211.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw 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 vulnerability specifically manifests when processing PDF files containing Flash content with a crafted #1023 (3FFh) tag, which is a hexadecimal representation of a malformed Flash tag that exceeds normal buffer boundaries. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the Adobe software's handling of embedded Flash content, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow exploit pattern where a maliciously crafted Flash tag within a PDF document triggers memory corruption during the parsing process. When Adobe Reader or Acrobat encounters the #1023 tag, the software fails to properly validate the tag's length or content, allowing an attacker to overflow a fixed-size buffer and overwrite adjacent memory segments. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous for end users who may inadvertently open malicious PDF files. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the software's Flash processing capabilities, which are commonly used in PDF documents for multimedia content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing, as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF files. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a document, making it particularly effective for targeted attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation potential spans across multiple versions of Adobe's software, affecting both major release lines and creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments. Security researchers have classified this as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution and the difficulty of detection during normal user operations.
Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.3.3 and 8.2.3 respectively, which contain the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation fixes. Network security controls should include PDF file content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent automatic execution of embedded Flash content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, involving the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution. Additionally, this flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with T1059, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious code, and T1070, involving the use of file and directory permissions to gain access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering rules to block PDF attachments from untrusted sources and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.