CVE-2012-4153 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-2012-4147, CVE-2012-4148, CVE-2012-4149, CVE-2012-4150, CVE-2012-4151, CVE-2012-4152, 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 • 10/15/2018
This vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.x before 9.5.2 and 10.x before 10.1.4 on both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same year, CVE-2012-4153 operates through distinct attack vectors that were not covered by the previously mentioned CVE identifiers, making it a separate and significant security concern. The vulnerability resides within the parsing mechanisms of these PDF viewing applications, specifically in how they handle certain malformed or crafted PDF files that could trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption patterns that can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, trigger buffer overflows or other memory handling errors. These memory corruption issues typically occur when the application fails to properly validate input data from PDF files, particularly in areas related to object parsing, string handling, or resource allocation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF attachments, making it a common vector for targeted attacks against enterprise environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document handling. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers could gain full system control, install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The denial of service component further compounds the threat by allowing attackers to disrupt legitimate business operations through application crashes or system instability. Organizations with extensive document sharing practices are particularly vulnerable, as the attack surface expands with every PDF file opened by affected software versions. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements since it can lead to unauthorized data access and system compromise that violates security policies and regulatory standards.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4153 primarily focus on immediate software updates and administrative controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.5.2 and 10.1.4 respectively, which contain patches addressing this memory corruption vulnerability. System administrators should implement security measures such as disabling PDF plugin execution in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and using sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Network-level protections including web proxies that scan PDF content and email filtering systems can provide additional layers of defense against malicious PDF attachments. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability relates to CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which are fundamental memory safety issues that require comprehensive patch management and security hardening practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, specifically mapping to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that include both endpoint protection and network monitoring capabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in PDF security and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches. The fact that it operates through different attack vectors than other CVEs from the same timeframe indicates that attackers are continuously exploring new exploitation techniques within the same software ecosystem, highlighting the need for continuous vulnerability assessment and proactive security measures. Organizations should implement regular security assessments of their document handling workflows and ensure that all users receive security training to recognize potentially malicious PDF files. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining security baselines and implementing automated patch management systems to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely used software applications.