CVE-2013-0622 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 bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0624.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to the specified patches contain a critical access control vulnerability that enables attackers to circumvent intended security restrictions through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 9.x before 9.5.3, 10.x before 10.1.5, and 11.x before 11.0.1, representing a significant gap in the software's security framework that could allow unauthorized access to protected content and functionality. The flaw operates independently from CVE-2013-0624, indicating a distinct code path or mechanism that enables privilege escalation or access bypass scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests weaknesses in the application's permission handling or access control mechanisms within the document processing engine. Attackers can exploit this issue to gain access to restricted features or content that should be protected by the software's access controls, potentially allowing them to execute unauthorized operations or access sensitive data. This type of vulnerability typically resides in the core document parsing or rendering components where access restrictions are enforced, making it particularly dangerous as it can undermine the fundamental security model of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to bypass multiple layers of security that are typically in place to protect users from malicious content. When exploited, this vulnerability allows unauthorized access to protected PDF features, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or access restricted system resources. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used to process sensitive documents, as this could lead to data breaches or unauthorized system access. The vulnerability's presence in multiple major version lines indicates a widespread issue that affects a significant user base.
Organizations should immediately implement patch management protocols to upgrade to the affected versions that contain the necessary security fixes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing inadequate access control mechanisms within the software's security model. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious PDF file processing activities and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations using older versions of Adobe Reader should evaluate their document processing workflows and consider alternative solutions until full patch deployment is complete, as the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against specific user groups or organizations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the risks associated with running outdated software versions in production environments.