CVE-2013-2719 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-2013-2718, 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 through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat model from several other CVEs published in the same timeframe, indicating a complex attack surface within the Adobe Acrobat ecosystem. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited when processing specially crafted PDF files, allowing attackers to manipulate memory addresses and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions including Adobe Reader 9.x before 9.5.5, 10.x before 10.1.7, and 11.x before 11.0.03, suggesting a widespread impact across the Adobe Acrobat product line. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables privilege escalation through memory corruption, a technique commonly observed in advanced persistent threat campaigns. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious PDF documents that trigger the memory corruption when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat. The exploitation process typically involves manipulating memory structures through malformed PDF elements, potentially leading to code execution in the context of the currently logged-on user. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks of complex document processing software and the challenges of securing rich media formats. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential system compromise, making it a critical concern for enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged. Organizations should prioritize patch management for this vulnerability and implement additional security controls such as PDF sandboxing and content filtering. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for compliance frameworks requiring protection against known security flaws, as it creates potential pathways for data exfiltration and system compromise. This issue highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities. The threat landscape for this vulnerability includes both automated exploitation tools and targeted attacks by advanced threat actors. Security professionals should consider implementing network-based detection measures and endpoint protection solutions that can identify and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter, indicates potential for post-exploitation activities once initial compromise occurs. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems and ensure comprehensive patch deployment across all Adobe Acrobat installations. The remediation process requires careful consideration of compatibility issues and business continuity requirements while addressing the underlying memory corruption flaw that enables arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges in securing document processing applications and the need for continuous security monitoring and proactive threat hunting activities.