CVE-2013-3352 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat before 10.1.8 and 11.x before 11.0.04 on Windows and Mac OS X allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-3354 and CVE-2013-3355.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2018
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 10.1.8 on Windows and Mac OS X platforms 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 security flaw from the related CVE-2013-3354 and CVE-2013-3355, indicating separate code paths or implementation issues within the software's processing mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during document parsing operations, where insufficient input validation and memory management controls allow attackers to craft malicious PDF files that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption when processed by the affected software versions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation likely involves heap-based memory corruption patterns common in PDF processing engines. The attack surface is particularly concerning as PDF files are widely distributed through email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing platforms, making exploitation relatively accessible to threat actors. Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the victim's current user account, potentially leading to full system compromise. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of malformed PDF objects or streams, where the software fails to properly validate array bounds or memory allocation sizes before performing operations that manipulate heap memory. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute malicious payloads through the compromised Adobe Reader process. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code within the application context. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of PDF processing engines and the challenges of maintaining memory safety in applications that must handle diverse and potentially malicious input formats. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a critical threat vector requiring immediate remediation through patch deployment, as the exploitability characteristics suggest that automated attack tools could be readily developed. The affected versions include Adobe Reader 10.1.7 and earlier, as well as Adobe Acrobat 11.x versions prior to 11.0.04, indicating that the vulnerability spans multiple product lines and release channels within the Adobe ecosystem. The technical flaw likely involves insufficient bounds checking during PDF object parsing, particularly in handling compressed or encrypted content streams where memory allocation calculations may not properly account for malformed data structures. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader remains the default PDF viewer and users lack the technical expertise to identify potentially malicious documents. The memory corruption patterns observed in this vulnerability are consistent with previously documented PDF processing exploits that target similar memory management flaws in commercial PDF readers and document processing applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft specifically malformed PDF documents that trigger the memory corruption during normal document parsing operations. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF files through phishing emails or compromised websites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Adobe Reader across various industries, making it a prime target for nation-state actors and organized threat groups seeking to establish persistent access to corporate networks. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates, as the vulnerability's severity classification places it in the highest risk category. The memory corruption issue represents a fundamental flaw in the software's defensive mechanisms, highlighting the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications. Security researchers have noted that similar vulnerabilities in PDF processing engines often reveal deeper architectural issues that may affect other components within the same software ecosystem. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple product versions indicates that the underlying memory management issues were not properly addressed in the software development lifecycle, suggesting potential gaps in quality assurance and security testing procedures. Remediation efforts should include not only patch deployment but also user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability. The technical characteristics of this vulnerability align with common attack patterns observed in advanced persistent threat campaigns, where initial compromise often occurs through document-based attacks targeting widely used applications. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Adobe Reader processes in high-security environments, reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the broader category of software security flaws that require careful attention to prevent exploitation through various attack vectors including network-based and local execution scenarios.