CVE-2015-3072 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-2015-3071, 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 bypass intended restrictions on JavaScript API execution through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from multiple related vulnerabilities within the same CVE range, specifically excluding CVE-2015-3060 through CVE-2015-3074. The flaw resides in the application's JavaScript engine implementation where proper access controls and execution restrictions fail to prevent unauthorized API calls that should be limited to specific contexts or user permissions. This bypass mechanism enables malicious actors to execute restricted JavaScript functions that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation within the application environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the improper enforcement of JavaScript API access controls within Adobe's PDF processing framework. When the application processes malicious PDF documents containing specially crafted JavaScript code, the security boundaries that normally prevent execution of certain API functions are circumvented. This occurs through mechanisms that manipulate the JavaScript execution context or exploit race conditions in the API validation process. The vulnerability specifically affects the runtime environment's ability to properly validate and restrict JavaScript function calls, allowing attackers to access APIs that should be restricted based on document permissions, user privileges, or execution context. This represents a critical failure in the application's security model where the intended sandboxing of JavaScript execution is compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Adobe Reader or Acrobat process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on modern operating systems. The vulnerability affects both Windows and OS X platforms, making it applicable to a broad range of enterprise environments where Adobe Reader remains widely deployed. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk as attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass security controls that would normally prevent malicious PDF documents from executing harmful JavaScript code. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that PDF documents are commonly used for business communications and document sharing, making them an attractive attack vector for social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches, which address the JavaScript API execution bypass through proper access control enforcement and validation of API function calls. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely updates across all systems running affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript behavior even when the underlying vulnerability exists. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and email security gateways should be configured to scan and block potentially malicious PDF attachments before they reach end-user systems. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious PDF documents and the risks associated with opening attachments from untrusted sources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution within document readers, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches to protect against such exploitation vectors.