CVE-2014-8456 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.13 and 11.x before 11.0.10 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-2014-8445, CVE-2014-8446, CVE-2014-8447, CVE-2014-8458, CVE-2014-8459, CVE-2014-8461, and CVE-2014-9158.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 10.x before 10.1.13 and 11.x before 11.0.10 on Windows and OS X contain a 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 several other related CVEs published in the same timeframe, indicating that attackers can exploit memory handling issues within the software's processing of maliciously crafted PDF files. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the parsing of PDF content, which can lead to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions that allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data or when it does not adequately check array bounds during memory operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious payloads. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it can also enable denial of service conditions where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive due to memory corruption, potentially disrupting business operations and user productivity. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS operating systems, indicating a cross-platform threat that requires comprehensive patch management across different environments. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant as PDF files are widely used in business environments, making the exploitation potential high. The vulnerability can be leveraged through social engineering techniques where attackers craft malicious PDF documents that appear legitimate to users, or through drive-by download scenarios where compromised websites automatically deliver exploit payloads. Organizations should consider implementing content filtering solutions and restricting PDF file execution to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code within the victim's system. Due to the nature of memory corruption vulnerabilities, exploitation often requires precise control over memory layout and may involve advanced techniques such as return-oriented programming or heap spraying. The affected versions represent a critical security gap that organizations must address through immediate patch deployment, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a pathway to gain unauthorized access to systems and potentially escalate privileges. The distinction from other CVEs in the same advisory period suggests that multiple memory corruption flaws existed within Adobe's PDF processing engine, highlighting the complexity of securing document processing applications. Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability in their risk assessment and remediation planning, as the combination of remote code execution capability and denial of service potential makes it a high-severity threat requiring immediate attention and mitigation strategies.