CVE-2015-3061 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.14 and 11.x before 11.0.11 on Windows and OS X allow attackers to bypass intended restrictions on JavaScript API execution via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3060, CVE-2015-3062, CVE-2015-3063, CVE-2015-3064, CVE-2015-3065, CVE-2015-3066, CVE-2015-3067, CVE-2015-3068, CVE-2015-3069, CVE-2015-3071, CVE-2015-3072, CVE-2015-3073, and CVE-2015-3074.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 10.x prior to 10.1.14 and 11.x prior to 11.0.11 contain a security vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent intended JavaScript API execution restrictions on both Windows and macOS operating systems. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from several other related vulnerabilities within the same year, specifically excluding CVE-2015-3060 through CVE-2015-3074. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that govern how JavaScript commands can be executed within the PDF rendering environment, creating potential pathways for malicious code execution that bypasses the normal security boundaries established by the application's sandboxing features. The vulnerability affects the core JavaScript engine implementation within Adobe's PDF viewer, where specific conditions can be exploited to execute restricted API calls that should normally be blocked by the application's security model.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that enable attackers to manipulate the JavaScript execution context in ways that were not anticipated by the original security design. This typically involves exploiting weaknesses in the input validation or context switching mechanisms that control API access within the PDF viewer environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Adobe application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-78, which covers OS command injection, as the exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical risk to organizations that rely on Adobe Reader for document viewing, as it can be exploited through malicious PDF files delivered via email attachments or web downloads.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and persistent access to target systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw to bypass security controls that were specifically designed to prevent malicious JavaScript from accessing system resources, network interfaces, or file system operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically involving the opening of a malicious PDF document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070 for indicator removal, as the exploitation can enable more sophisticated attack chains. Organizations using older versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are particularly vulnerable since these products are widely deployed across enterprise environments, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors targeting specific industries or government organizations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of timely patch management and the potential consequences of delayed security updates in widely used software applications.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 10.1.14 and 11.0.11 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as PDF file scanning, restricted browsing environments, and application whitelisting to prevent execution of potentially malicious PDF files. Network-based protections including web proxies with content filtering and email security solutions should be configured to scan and block suspicious PDF attachments. System administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for PDF viewing operations and monitor for unusual JavaScript activity within PDF documents. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that can bypass traditional security controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other software applications within the organization's attack surface.