CVE-2013-0608 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.5.3, 10.x before 10.1.5, and 11.x before 11.0.1 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, related to a "logic error," a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0607, CVE-2013-0611, CVE-2013-0614, and CVE-2013-0618.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 9.5.3, 10.1.5, and 11.0.1 contain a logic error vulnerability that enables remote code execution attacks. This flaw exists within the application's handling of certain malformed input data structures, specifically affecting the processing of PDF objects and their associated memory management routines. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of input parameters during the parsing of complex PDF documents, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the application's execution flow. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2013-0607, CVE-2013-0611, CVE-2013-0614, and CVE-2013-0618, this particular issue manifests through a distinct code path involving improper state management within the PDF interpreter. The logic error occurs when the application processes certain combinations of PDF objects that trigger unexpected behavior in the memory allocation and deallocation sequences, potentially leading to heap corruption or stack overflow conditions. This vulnerability maps to CWE-248, Unchecked Return Value to NULL Pointer Dereference, and CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, as it involves improper handling of memory operations and unchecked return values from system calls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PDF documents that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, cause the application to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the software. The attack typically requires user interaction through opening a specially crafted PDF file, making it a client-side exploitation vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users regularly open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap in Adobe's document processing engine, where the application's failure to properly validate input data creates opportunities for sophisticated attack vectors. This issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in security-critical applications, as even seemingly minor logic errors can result in severe security consequences. The affected versions represent a broad range of Adobe Reader and Acrobat releases, indicating that the vulnerability has persisted across multiple major versions, highlighting the need for comprehensive patch management strategies and regular security updates. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring special privileges or advanced technical knowledge, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors. The exploitation typically occurs during normal PDF document processing operations, making detection and prevention challenging for traditional security measures that rely on network-based monitoring or signature detection. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems, implement strict PDF document filtering policies, and consider deploying additional security controls such as sandboxing or privileged access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability's classification as a logic error indicates that the flaw exists in the application's decision-making processes rather than in its cryptographic or network components. This type of vulnerability often arises from complex state management scenarios where multiple conditions must be properly evaluated before proceeding with operations. The specific nature of the logic error suggests that Adobe's PDF processing engine contains conditional branches that fail to properly handle certain input combinations, leading to execution paths that bypass normal security checks. This pattern of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0002, Execution, as it enables adversaries to run malicious code within the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects the core functionality of PDF processing, which is a fundamental feature used across numerous business and personal applications. Organizations should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF file patterns and deploy endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the patch deployment schedule to minimize business disruption while ensuring security coverage. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of delaying software updates in enterprise environments.