CVE-2014-8451 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified JavaScript API in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.13 and 11.x before 11.0.10 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-8448.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 10.1.13 and 11.0.10 on Windows and OS X contained a vulnerability in their JavaScript API implementation that enabled attackers to extract sensitive information through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from CVE-2014-8448 and demonstrates the complexity of JavaScript engine security within document processing applications. The flaw existed within the API's handling of sensitive data exposure mechanisms, potentially allowing unauthorized access to system information or user data that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure flaws that can be exploited to gain insights into system configurations, user environments, or other sensitive operational details.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the JavaScript API's improper handling of information retrieval operations within the Adobe Reader and Acrobat applications. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access data that would normally be restricted or protected from external access through the document processing environment. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and represents a failure in proper access control mechanisms within the JavaScript execution environment. The attack vectors remain unspecified, indicating that the exact method of exploitation was not publicly detailed, but the impact suggests that sensitive information could be accessed through JavaScript commands executed within PDF documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to gather intelligence about target systems and users. When combined with other vulnerabilities or used as part of a broader attack strategy, this weakness could facilitate more sophisticated exploits. The vulnerability affects both Windows and OS X platforms, indicating a cross-platform security issue that would require similar remediation approaches across different operating environments. Organizations using these older versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat faced increased risk of data exposure incidents, particularly in environments where sensitive documents containing JavaScript code could be processed. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping document processing software updated, as outdated applications often contain unpatched security flaws that can be exploited by adversaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate deployment of patches provided by Adobe, specifically updating to versions 10.1.13 and 11.0.10 or later. System administrators should have implemented comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of affected software were updated across their environments. Organizations could also employ additional security controls such as restricting JavaScript execution within PDF documents, implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious API calls, and conducting regular security assessments of document processing environments. The vulnerability's presence in the JavaScript API highlights the need for careful sandboxing and input validation within application scripting environments. Security teams should have also considered the ATT&CK framework's tactics related to privilege escalation and information gathering, as this vulnerability could have enabled adversaries to collect system information that would support further exploitation attempts. The incident underscored the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of running outdated software in enterprise environments.