CVE-2015-3069 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-2015-3065, CVE-2015-3066, CVE-2015-3067, CVE-2015-3068, 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 on Windows and macOS platforms contain a critical security vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent intended JavaScript API execution restrictions. This vulnerability specifically targets the sandboxing mechanisms implemented within Adobe's PDF rendering applications, enabling unauthorized code execution that bypasses the intended security boundaries designed to prevent malicious JavaScript from accessing system resources or performing harmful operations. The flaw operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ significantly from other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through standard security measures. This issue represents a significant bypass of Adobe's security model where JavaScript execution is normally restricted to prevent malicious activities such as file system access, network communication, or system command execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the JavaScript interpreter that processes PDF documents. When Adobe Reader or Acrobat processes PDF files containing malicious JavaScript code, the security controls meant to limit what APIs can be accessed are bypassed, allowing attackers to execute restricted functions that should normally be blocked. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's session. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows attackers to execute JavaScript functions that would typically be restricted to prevent malicious behavior, potentially enabling full system compromise through PDF-based attacks. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths exist, making the vulnerability more versatile and dangerous than similar issues that are more narrowly defined.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3069 extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture of Adobe's PDF processing applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code that performs actions such as downloading additional malware, establishing persistence mechanisms, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the victim's system. The vulnerability affects users across multiple operating systems including Windows and macOS platforms, creating a broad attack surface. Security researchers have noted that this issue is particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where adversaries craft specific PDF documents designed to exploit this bypass mechanism. The vulnerability's existence undermines the trust model that users place in PDF documents and the security boundaries that Adobe's applications are supposed to maintain.
Organizations and users should immediately apply the security patches released by Adobe to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation remains high given the widespread use of Adobe Reader and Acrobat applications. The mitigation strategy should include not only updating the software but also implementing additional security measures such as email filtering, PDF document scanning, and user education regarding suspicious PDF attachments. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre attack framework where adversaries leverage application-specific vulnerabilities to bypass security controls. The weakness falls under the category of insufficient input validation as classified by CWE standards, specifically CWE-20 which addresses "Improper Input Validation" and related to the improper restriction of operations within a software system. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts and monitor for unusual PDF processing activities that might indicate an attack.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the challenges faced by software vendors in maintaining secure JavaScript execution environments, particularly in applications that must process untrusted content. This flaw demonstrates the complexity of sandboxing mechanisms and the difficulty of preventing all possible bypass paths. Security professionals should view this vulnerability as part of a larger pattern where attackers continuously seek to exploit edge cases in application security models, making ongoing vulnerability management and security updates critical for maintaining protection. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue means that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, making it a high-priority target for remediation across enterprise environments.