CVE-2015-3065 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-2015-3064, 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 before 10.1.14 and 11.x before 11.0.11 on Windows and OS X systems contain a security vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent intended JavaScript API execution restrictions. This vulnerability specifically affects the sandboxing mechanisms that are designed to prevent malicious code from accessing system resources or executing harmful operations within the PDF viewer environment. The flaw enables unauthorized execution of JavaScript functions that should be restricted, creating a significant bypass of the application's security controls. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same CVE family, this issue operates through distinct attack vectors that were not covered by the previously mentioned CVE identifiers. The vulnerability resides in the JavaScript engine's permission handling system where proper validation checks fail to adequately restrict API access, allowing crafted PDF documents to execute privileged operations that would normally be blocked by the security model. This weakness directly impacts the integrity of the application's security boundaries and can potentially enable attackers to perform actions such as file system access, network communication, or system command execution through maliciously crafted PDF files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of JavaScript API calls within Adobe Reader and Acrobat's execution environment. When processing PDF documents, the application's JavaScript interpreter fails to properly validate or restrict access to certain privileged APIs that should only be available to trusted code or specific user interactions. Attackers can exploit this by creating PDF files that contain malicious JavaScript code designed to invoke restricted functions through techniques that bypass the normal security checks. The vulnerability affects both Windows and OS X operating systems, indicating a cross-platform implementation issue within the Adobe Acrobat JavaScript engine. This flaw falls under the category of privilege escalation and sandbox bypass, which are commonly classified under CWE-250 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The vulnerability represents a critical failure in the application's security architecture where the intended isolation between user-controllable content and system resources is compromised, allowing malicious code to operate outside its designated safe execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise through PDF-based attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Adobe Reader or Acrobat process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but may have access to sensitive system resources. This could lead to unauthorized file access, data exfiltration, or the installation of additional malicious software. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple PDF document viewing, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns or drive-by download attacks. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be combined with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack chains, potentially allowing for persistent access or lateral movement within a network. The attack surface is significant as PDF files are commonly shared across organizations and can be easily distributed through email, web downloads, or removable media. Organizations using these vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are at risk of targeted attacks that leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to versions 10.1.14 or 11.0.11 respectively. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated promptly. Additionally, security administrators should consider implementing PDF content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious PDF files before they reach end users. Network-based security controls such as web proxies and email gateways should be configured to scan PDF attachments for known malicious patterns or suspicious JavaScript code. The implementation of user education programs can help reduce the risk of successful exploitation by teaching users to avoid opening PDF files from untrusted sources. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution and Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which PDF viewers can be executed on systems, reducing the attack surface for this type of exploit. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure.