CVE-2012-4155 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-2012-4153, CVE-2012-4154, 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 prior to 9.5.2 and 10.1.4 on Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from unspecified vectors within the software's handling of maliciously crafted PDF files, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit it through standard document opening procedures without requiring user interaction beyond opening the compromised file. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same year, CVE-2012-4155 operates through distinct attack vectors that specifically target memory management functions within the Adobe Acrobat runtime environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory handling during PDF processing, which creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. This type of memory corruption vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw typically manifests when Adobe Reader processes malformed PDF elements, causing the application to allocate memory incorrectly or access memory locations outside of expected boundaries. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed PDF documents that trigger memory corruption during rendering or parsing operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4155 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in full system compromise and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used for document distribution, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage, T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1566 for spearphishing attachments. The attack surface is broad as Adobe Reader is widely deployed across organizations, and the vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, web downloads, and removable media.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for systems running affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat. The recommended mitigation strategy includes not only applying the vendor-provided security patches but also implementing additional defensive measures such as PDF file scanning, restricted user permissions, and network-based filtering of suspicious PDF content. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted PDF files and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that can quickly identify and remediate similar issues across enterprise environments.