CVE-2015-3071 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-2015-3069, 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 prior to 10.1.14 and 11.0.11 on Windows and OS X systems contained a critical security flaw that allowed attackers to circumvent intended JavaScript API execution restrictions. This vulnerability specifically targeted the sandboxing mechanisms that Adobe implemented to prevent malicious code from accessing system resources or executing harmful operations within the document processing environment. The flaw operated through unspecified attack vectors that differed significantly from other related vulnerabilities in the same advisory period, making it a distinct threat requiring separate mitigation strategies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from inadequate validation mechanisms within the JavaScript engine of Adobe's document processing software. When users opened malicious PDF documents, the attacker could exploit this weakness to execute restricted JavaScript API calls that should have been blocked by the security sandbox. This bypass allowed unauthorized access to system functions that typically remain protected from document-based scripts, potentially enabling attackers to perform operations such as file system access, network communication, or arbitrary code execution within the context of the application's privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3071 was substantial as it provided threat actors with a means to escalate privileges and execute malicious payloads without requiring user interaction beyond opening a compromised document. This vulnerability could be leveraged in phishing campaigns where attackers crafted malicious PDF files designed to exploit the JavaScript sandbox bypass, leading to potential system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in widely used software versions meant that organizations running these older Adobe products faced significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently opened untrusted PDF documents.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves updating to Adobe Reader 10.1.14 or Acrobat 11.0.11 on Windows and OS X systems, which contain the necessary security fixes to prevent exploitation of this JavaScript API bypass. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including email filtering, web proxy configurations, and user education to reduce the risk of encountering malicious PDF files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for script execution, making it a critical component in defensive security strategies.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in implementing effective sandboxing mechanisms within complex software applications and highlights the importance of continuous security assessments. The distinction from other CVEs in the same advisory period indicates that Adobe's security team identified multiple attack surfaces requiring separate remediation approaches, emphasizing the complexity of modern application security. Organizations should maintain comprehensive patch management processes to address similar vulnerabilities that may arise from the inherent complexity of software sandboxing and privilege control mechanisms.