CVE-2015-3064 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-2015-3061, CVE-2015-3062, CVE-2015-3063, 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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 critical security vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent JavaScript API execution restrictions on both Windows and macOS platforms. This vulnerability represents a significant bypass of the intended security controls that were designed to prevent malicious JavaScript code from executing with elevated privileges or accessing restricted system functions. The flaw operates through unspecified vectors that differ from other related vulnerabilities in the same CVE range, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate. The vulnerability specifically targets the JavaScript engine's API restriction mechanisms, which are fundamental to Adobe's security model for preventing unauthorized access to system resources through PDF documents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of JavaScript API calls within the Adobe Reader and Acrobat applications. When users open PDF documents containing malicious JavaScript code, the application should enforce strict restrictions on which APIs can be executed and under what conditions. However, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass these controls through unknown attack vectors that manipulate the JavaScript execution environment. The bypass mechanism likely involves exploiting weaknesses in the API permission checking system, potentially through improper input validation or insufficient sandboxing of JavaScript execution contexts. This allows malicious code to execute with elevated privileges or access restricted system functions that should normally be blocked by the application's security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3064 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document handling. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass standard security controls that protect against malicious PDF documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS platforms, and given the widespread use of Adobe Reader across organizations, the potential for exploitation is significant. This vulnerability could be exploited in phishing campaigns, supply chain attacks, or targeted attacks against specific organizations, where attackers craft malicious PDF documents designed to exploit this specific bypass mechanism.
Organizations should immediately apply the security patches released by Adobe for versions 10.1.14 and 11.0.11 to address this vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, and ensure that all users are updated to patched versions. Additional mitigations include implementing strict document handling policies that restrict the opening of PDF files from untrusted sources, deploying sandboxing solutions that isolate PDF processing, and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript activity in PDF documents. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, specifically targeting the use of malicious documents to execute code with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web proxies that scan PDF documents for malicious content and restrict access to known malicious domains that might distribute exploit documents. The vulnerability represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where JavaScript execution should be strictly limited to prevent unauthorized access to system resources, making it a critical security concern that requires immediate remediation.