CVE-2014-0565 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.12 and 11.x before 11.0.09 on Windows and OS X allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-0566.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 10.x before 10.1.12 and 11.x before 11.0.09 on Windows and OS X contain a memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from CVE-2014-0566 and demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing document processing software that handles complex file formats. The affected versions of Adobe's PDF reader applications process untrusted PDF files that may contain malformed data structures, leading to unpredictable memory behavior when parsing certain elements within the document. This particular vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the PDF parsing engine, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious PDF files that trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions when processed by the vulnerable software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses classified under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering specially crafted PDF documents that, when opened in the vulnerable Adobe applications, cause memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The memory corruption typically occurs during the parsing of specific PDF objects or streams where the application fails to properly validate the size or structure of data before attempting to access or manipulate memory locations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks where users unknowingly execute malicious code simply by viewing a compromised PDF file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it affects a widely deployed software application that serves as the primary PDF viewer across enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Reader for document processing and viewing face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently open PDF files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers can gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement within network environments. The memory corruption aspects also introduce denial of service risks that can disrupt legitimate business operations, as users may experience application crashes or system instability when encountering malicious PDF content. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping document processing software up to date, as the attack surface remains broad and the potential for exploitation remains high even when specific attack vectors are not publicly disclosed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations, with particular attention to enterprise environments where multiple systems may be at risk. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing solutions to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious documents. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening PDF files from unknown sources and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability's classification under attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework includes T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1059, which covers command and script interpreter usage, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of threats that can arise from such memory corruption vulnerabilities. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit lateral movement capabilities, regular security assessments of document handling processes, and monitoring for suspicious PDF file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with legitimate business processes that depend on Adobe's PDF processing capabilities.