CVE-2010-3622 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.4, and 8.x before 8.2.5 on Windows and Mac OS X, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2890, CVE-2010-3619, CVE-2010-3621, CVE-2010-3628, CVE-2010-3632, and CVE-2010-3658.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.x prior to 9.4 and 8.x prior to 8.2.5 contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution attacks on Windows and Mac OS X systems. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat vector from several other similarly named CVEs from the same timeframe, indicating a complex attack surface within Adobe's document processing libraries. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential entry points within the software's handling of maliciously crafted PDF files, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage various techniques to exploit the memory corruption flaw. The vulnerability exists in the core rendering engine responsible for processing PDF documents and can be triggered when the software parses malformed or specially crafted PDF content that leads to improper memory management during document processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption that can be induced by manipulating the structure or content of PDF files processed by Adobe Reader or Acrobat. When the vulnerable software encounters maliciously constructed PDF elements, it fails to properly validate input data or manage memory allocation, leading to buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory-related issues that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. The memory corruption typically manifests when the application attempts to access memory locations outside of its allocated boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical program data or inject malicious code into the application's memory space. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues in software development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise when successfully exploited. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, will trigger the memory corruption and provide a pathway for remote code execution. This capability allows adversaries to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems without requiring local user interaction beyond opening the malicious document. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since Adobe Reader remains one of the most widely distributed PDF viewers, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to maximize their attack surface. Organizations using older versions of Adobe products face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently encounter PDF documents from untrusted sources or where email security measures may be insufficient to prevent delivery of malicious attachments.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to versions 9.4 or 8.2.5 and later, which contain the necessary memory safety improvements and input validation controls. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all endpoints receive security updates promptly, particularly given the remote exploitation capabilities of this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include deploying PDF sandboxing technologies, implementing email filtering solutions that scan for malicious PDF content, and educating users about the risks of opening PDF documents from unknown or untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and highlights the persistent threat landscape where legacy applications continue to pose significant security risks despite their widespread use. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack tactics and techniques matrix under initial access and execution phases, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful compromise scenarios.