CVE-2013-2718 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.5.5, 10.x before 10.1.7, and 11.x before 11.0.03 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-2719, CVE-2013-2720, CVE-2013-2721, CVE-2013-2722, CVE-2013-2723, CVE-2013-2725, CVE-2013-2726, CVE-2013-2731, CVE-2013-2732, CVE-2013-2734, CVE-2013-2735, CVE-2013-2736, CVE-2013-3337, CVE-2013-3338, CVE-2013-3339, CVE-2013-3340, and CVE-2013-3341.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to the specified patches contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. This vulnerability affects multiple product versions including 9.x before 9.5.5, 10.x before 10.1.7, and 11.x before 11.0.03, making it a widespread issue across the Adobe Acrobat ecosystem. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that are distinct from a series of other vulnerabilities in the same year, indicating this represents a unique code path or implementation error. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature typically arise from improper handling of user-supplied input or buffer overflows that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability class, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Adobe Reader for document processing, as attackers can craft malicious PDF files that trigger the memory corruption when opened. The attack surface is broad since PDF files are commonly shared via email, web downloads, and document management systems, making this a prime target for social engineering campaigns. The exploitation potential aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 tactic, specifically targeting software exploitation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations face potential data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption when this vulnerability is successfully exploited. The memory corruption can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege as it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls through the exploitation of the PDF rendering engine. The affected versions represent a substantial portion of the Adobe Acrobat user base, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy systems may not have been updated. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the broader category of heap-based buffer overflows and use-after-free conditions that have historically been among the most dangerous types of software flaws. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often require sophisticated exploitation techniques, including the use of return-oriented programming or other advanced exploitation methods to achieve reliable code execution. The absence of specific vector details in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability may be triggered through multiple attack paths including malformed PDF objects, embedded scripts, or malicious content within document structures. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as defenders must account for a broad range of potential attack scenarios. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can render systems unusable, affecting business continuity and productivity. Organizations should implement immediate patch management strategies to address this vulnerability and consider network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious PDF content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing robust security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Adobe's response to this vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of PDF rendering engines and the challenges of securing document processing software against sophisticated attack vectors. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple major versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the software architecture that required comprehensive patching across the product line. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader assessment of Adobe Reader security posture and implement layered defenses including email filtering, web application firewalls, and user education to reduce the attack surface. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, making it a critical priority for security teams to address through immediate remediation and ongoing monitoring.