CVE-2012-4147 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.5.2 and 10.x before 10.1.4 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-2012-2051, CVE-2012-4148, CVE-2012-4149, CVE-2012-4150, CVE-2012-4151, CVE-2012-4152, CVE-2012-4153, CVE-2012-4154, CVE-2012-4155, CVE-2012-4156, CVE-2012-4157, CVE-2012-4158, CVE-2012-4159, and CVE-2012-4160.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 9.5.2 and 10.1.4 on Windows and Mac OS X systems contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability manifested through unspecified attack vectors that differed from several other related CVEs published in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct flaw in the software's handling of processed data. The memory corruption issue occurred when the applications processed specially crafted PDF files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's privileges. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by enticing victims to open maliciously crafted PDF documents, which would trigger the memory corruption during document rendering or processing. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption flaw aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework, where memory corruption vulnerabilities represent a primary pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise. This issue represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or heap corruption vulnerability that could be leveraged for remote exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple denial of service to include complete system compromise, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability's exploitation required minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The affected versions included Adobe Reader 9.x before 9.5.2 and 10.x before 10.1.4 across both Windows and Mac OS X platforms, indicating the flaw was present in multiple operating system environments. This cross-platform nature of the vulnerability increased its potential attack surface and made it a significant concern for organizations using Adobe products across diverse computing environments. The vulnerability's designation as a memory corruption issue places it within the CWE-119 category, which encompasses weaknesses related to the improper handling of memory in software applications. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability required immediate patching to prevent exploitation, as the attack vectors were sufficiently well-understood to enable automated exploitation tools. The vulnerability's presence in widely used software products meant that organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management procedures to protect their systems. Security professionals identified that the vulnerability could be exploited through social engineering tactics, where attackers would send malicious PDF attachments via email or other communication channels to target specific individuals or organizations. The attack chain typically involved initial compromise through document delivery, followed by exploitation of the memory corruption vulnerability during document processing. This vulnerability highlighted the critical importance of keeping software updated, as the flaw existed in widely deployed versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs in the same year demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex software applications and the need for comprehensive security testing. Organizations needed to implement layered defenses including email filtering, endpoint protection, and regular patching to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability also underscored the importance of Principle of Least Privilege, as exploitation could occur even when users had standard account permissions. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability represented a significant risk for organizations subject to security standards such as iso 27001 and pci dss, which require regular vulnerability assessments and remediation of identified security flaws. The vulnerability's exploitation potential made it a target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to networked systems. Security vendors and researchers noted that the vulnerability's exploitation could be detected through network monitoring and endpoint behavioral analysis, providing organizations with defensive capabilities beyond simple patching. The vulnerability's resolution required Adobe to implement memory safety improvements in their PDF processing libraries, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of security measures in commercial software products. This case exemplifies how memory corruption vulnerabilities in widely used applications can create cascading security risks across entire organizations and industries. The vulnerability's impact extended to both individual users and enterprise environments, highlighting the need for comprehensive security awareness training alongside technical controls. Organizations implementing security controls needed to consider both preventive measures such as patch management and detective measures such as network monitoring to effectively protect against this type of vulnerability. The vulnerability's characteristics aligned with attack patterns identified in the mitre attack framework, particularly those involving initial access and execution phases. The security community's response to this vulnerability emphasized the importance of vulnerability disclosure timelines and coordinated remediation efforts between vendors and security researchers. The vulnerability's resolution process demonstrated the collaborative nature of modern cybersecurity, where vendor patches and security updates must be rapidly deployed to protect users against active threats.