CVE-2015-5085 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-2015-4447, CVE-2015-4451, CVE-2015-4452, 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 through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability affects multiple product lines including Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, as well as various versions of Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous on both Windows and OS X platforms. The flaw represents a significant bypass of security controls that are designed to restrict potentially dangerous JavaScript operations within the PDF rendering environment. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-4435 through CVE-2015-5086, this issue operates through distinct attack mechanisms that specifically target the JavaScript sandbox enforcement mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and code execution risks, as it enables malicious actors to execute unrestricted JavaScript commands that would normally be blocked by the application's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of JavaScript API calls within the Adobe Acrobat runtime environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Acrobat application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces may be affected, including but not limited to document parsing routines, JavaScript engine interactions, and API access controls. This type of vulnerability typically involves bypassing input validation, authentication checks, or access control mechanisms that are meant to prevent unauthorized operations. The attack could be initiated through maliciously crafted PDF files that contain specially constructed JavaScript code designed to exploit the restriction bypass. Security researchers have identified that the flaw involves the improper handling of JavaScript API calls that should be restricted to prevent malicious operations, allowing attackers to escalate privileges and execute commands beyond normal operational boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments that rely on Adobe Acrobat for document processing and viewing. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are at risk of targeted attacks that could result in data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in both classic and continuous deployment models of Acrobat DC creates a broad attack surface that affects organizations using various Adobe product configurations. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, as the exploitation can occur through simple document opening operations without requiring user interaction beyond normal viewing activities. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the mitre attack framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and code execution, specifically targeting the execution environment of PDF viewers and readers.
Organizations should immediately implement the security patches provided by Adobe to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for affected systems. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, specifically versions 10.1.15, 11.0.12, and the corresponding DC versions mentioned in the advisory. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as restricting PDF file execution, deploying sandboxed environments for document processing, and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript activity in network traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenge of securing complex software applications with extensive scripting capabilities, where even minor implementation flaws can result in significant security implications. The issue underscores the need for continuous security assessments and the importance of adhering to security best practices such as principle of least privilege and regular security updates to maintain effective protection against evolving threats.