CVE-2013-5325 in Acrobat
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 11.x before 11.0.05 on Windows allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a javascript: URL via a crafted PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat version 11.x before 11.0.05 on Windows systems contain a critical vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code through maliciously crafted PDF documents. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of javascript: URLs within PDF files, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited without user interaction. The flaw resides in the application's improper validation and execution of JavaScript code embedded within PDF documents, particularly when the document contains crafted javascript: URLs that bypass normal security restrictions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation mechanisms within Adobe Reader's JavaScript engine. When a malicious PDF document is opened, the application processes javascript: URLs without adequate security checks, allowing attacker-controlled code to execute in the context of the user's session. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that has been extended to the PDF document processing environment, where JavaScript execution can occur outside of normal browser security boundaries. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and deployment of additional malware. Attackers can craft PDF documents that automatically execute malicious JavaScript code upon opening, bypassing traditional security measures such as firewalls and antivirus solutions. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used for document viewing, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Organizations with outdated Adobe Reader installations face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution. Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to Adobe Reader version 11.0.05 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additional mitigations include implementing strict PDF document handling policies, disabling JavaScript execution in PDF readers, and deploying network-based security controls to monitor for suspicious PDF traffic. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious PDF content, while maintaining regular security awareness training to help users identify potentially malicious documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping software up to date and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attack techniques that exploit application-level flaws.