CVE-2013-0610 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.5.3, 10.x before 10.1.5, and 11.x before 11.0.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0626.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0610 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple version ranges. This vulnerability resides within the memory management mechanisms of these widely used document processing applications, creating a significant security risk for organizations and individual users who rely on PDF document handling. The flaw specifically impacts versions 9.x prior to 9.5.3, 10.x prior to 10.1.5, and 11.x prior to 11.0.1, indicating a prolonged period during which the vulnerability remained unpatched and exploitable. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that differ from CVE-2013-0626, suggesting distinct attack surfaces within the software's codebase that could be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within Adobe's PDF processing libraries. When processing malformed PDF documents or specific embedded content, the application fails to properly validate the size of data being copied to stack memory locations, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when data is written beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer. The overflow can corrupt return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data, providing attackers with opportunities to redirect program execution flow. The exploitation requires careful crafting of malicious PDF content that triggers the vulnerable code path during document parsing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0610 extends far beyond individual user compromise, potentially enabling large-scale attacks against enterprise networks where Adobe Reader remains a default PDF viewer. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within network environments. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across various operating systems and business applications creates a substantial attack surface, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted campaigns. Organizations that have not updated their software versions remain at significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering attacks, drive-by downloads, or compromised websites that serve malicious PDF content to unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0610 primarily focus on immediate software patching and implementation of defensive measures. Adobe released updates for all affected versions, making it essential for organizations to prioritize deployment of patches for Adobe Reader 9.5.3, 10.1.5, and 11.0.1. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files and consider deploying sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help prevent access to known malicious PDF content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the importance of endpoint protection measures. Additionally, regular security awareness training for users can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through phishing campaigns that deliver malicious PDF attachments, while incident response procedures should include specific protocols for handling potential exploitation attempts involving this vulnerability.