CVE-2015-3053 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.14 and 11.x before 11.0.11 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3054, CVE-2015-3055, CVE-2015-3059, and CVE-2015-3075.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3053 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software versions prior to 10.1.14 and 11.0.11 on both Windows and macOS operating systems. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate the freed memory to execute arbitrary code. The flaw specifically impacts the handling of certain objects within the PDF processing engine, where improper memory management allows attackers to corrupt memory state and potentially gain control over the affected system. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from other related vulnerabilities in the same advisory, indicating a unique exploitation pathway that requires specific conditions to be met for successful compromise.
From a technical perspective, the use-after-free condition in Adobe Reader and Acrobat stems from inadequate memory management practices within the software's PDF parsing and rendering components. When processing maliciously crafted PDF documents, the application fails to properly validate object references after memory deallocation, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to overwrite freed memory with malicious payloads. This memory corruption can occur during the processing of specific PDF elements such as embedded objects, JavaScript actions, or complex graphics rendering commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it a prime target for zero-day exploits in targeted attacks. The flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have plagued many software applications over the years.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3053 extends far beyond simple exploitation capabilities, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve complete system compromise through remote code execution. Organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software means that successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, system infiltration, and lateral movement within network environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially deploy malware, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges to gain administrative control over affected systems. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for large-scale attacks targeting organizations with extensive PDF document usage patterns. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code within the target system's memory space.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3053 should focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security enhancements to reduce the attack surface. Adobe released security updates addressing this vulnerability in versions 10.1.14 and 11.0.11, and system administrators must prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected installations. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, including sandboxing PDF processing environments and restricting PDF document sources to trusted entities. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help block malicious PDF files before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious PDF documents and maintaining updated software versions. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous PDF processing activities and memory corruption indicators that might signal exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management flaws can result in significant security breaches. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and reduce the window of exposure for known vulnerabilities.