CVE-2013-3337 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-2013-2719, 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-2013-3338, 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 9.5.5, 10.1.7, and 11.0.03 contain a memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat from numerous other CVEs published in the same timeframe, indicating a separate code path or implementation flaw within the affected software components. The memory corruption issue arises from improper handling of certain input data structures within the PDF processing engine, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents through crafted malicious PDF documents. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects widely deployed software used for document viewing across enterprise and consumer environments. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could be exploited in phishing campaigns where malicious PDF attachments are delivered via email, or through compromised websites serving malicious content. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation as the memory corruption could also result in denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate user operations. Security researchers have categorized this as a critical threat within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in PDF processing engines where complex parsing logic can introduce subtle memory handling flaws. Organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability affects multiple major versions and has been actively exploited in the wild. The specific nature of the memory corruption suggests that attackers could leverage heap-based exploitation techniques to gain control over system execution flow. This vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation and memory safety practices in document processing software, particularly given the widespread use of PDF readers in enterprise environments. The absence of specific vector details in the CVE description indicates that multiple attack paths may exist, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through various PDF elements such as embedded objects, JavaScript, or complex graphics rendering. Organizations should implement network segmentation and email filtering to reduce exposure while awaiting patches, as the vulnerability has been confirmed to be actively exploited in targeted attacks. The technical nature of this flaw aligns with common exploitation patterns found in PDF readers where improper memory management during object parsing can create opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how complex software parsing can introduce security weaknesses that are difficult to predict and prevent through standard security measures. The patching process should be prioritized across all affected versions, as the memory corruption can potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks given the elevated privileges typically associated with PDF reader processes. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known exploitation techniques. The attack complexity is considered moderate to high as it requires crafting a malicious PDF document that can trigger the specific memory handling flaw, but the widespread use of affected software makes it a significant risk for organizations that have not yet applied patches.