CVE-2015-4447 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 2015.006.30060, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 2015.008.20082 on Windows and OS X allow attackers to bypass JavaScript API execution restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4435, CVE-2015-4438, CVE-2015-4441, CVE-2015-4445, CVE-2015-4451, CVE-2015-4452, CVE-2015-5085, and CVE-2015-5086.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to specific patched releases contain a critical vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent JavaScript API execution restrictions within the software's security framework. This vulnerability affects multiple product lines including legacy versions 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, as well as the DC Classic and DC Continuous editions before their respective patch levels. The flaw operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from several other documented vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct exploitation pathway that bypasses existing security controls. This issue specifically targets the JavaScript engine's API restriction mechanisms that are designed to prevent malicious code from accessing sensitive system functions or performing unauthorized operations within the document processing environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in its ability to undermine the sandboxing and execution control mechanisms that Adobe implements to isolate potentially malicious JavaScript code within PDF documents. When users open PDF files containing crafted JavaScript payloads, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute restricted API calls that should normally be blocked by the software's security model. This bypass enables malicious actors to perform actions such as accessing the file system, executing arbitrary commands, or communicating with external servers without proper authorization. The vulnerability represents a significant weakening of Adobe's security architecture, as it allows attackers to elevate privileges and execute code that would otherwise be prohibited by the software's built-in protection mechanisms. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the public CVE description, which suggests that the exploitation technique may involve sophisticated methods of manipulating the JavaScript engine's execution flow or exploiting race conditions within the API restriction enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a means to compromise systems running vulnerable Adobe software without requiring additional exploitation primitives or privilege escalation techniques. When users open malicious PDF documents, the vulnerability can be triggered automatically, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running Adobe Reader or Acrobat. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, as it can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability affects both Windows and OS X platforms, expanding the potential attack surface and making it relevant to diverse computing environments. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing are particularly vulnerable, as the attack can be delivered through simple email attachments or web downloads without requiring user interaction beyond opening the document.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of the vendor patches released for affected versions, which address the specific JavaScript API execution bypass mechanism. System administrators should implement strict PDF document handling policies that include sandboxing measures and content filtering to prevent automatic execution of JavaScript code within PDF documents. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and email security solutions should be configured to scan and block potentially malicious PDF files before they reach end users. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the risks of opening PDF documents from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping Adobe software updated. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual JavaScript execution patterns or network communications that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through malicious documents, while CWE classification would likely fall under CWE-250 for execution of code with improper privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust security models that verify all document content regardless of source, and maintain regular vulnerability assessment programs to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by adversaries.