CVE-2015-5086 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-2015-5085.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2022
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to specific patches contain a critical vulnerability that undermines the JavaScript security model implemented within these applications. This vulnerability affects multiple product lines including the classic versions of Acrobat and Reader, as well as the DC Classic and DC Continuous editions, across both Windows and macOS operating systems. The flaw specifically targets the JavaScript API execution restrictions that are fundamental to preventing malicious code execution within the PDF rendering environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves an unspecified vector that allows attackers to bypass the established security boundaries for JavaScript execution. These restrictions are designed to prevent malicious scripts from accessing sensitive system functions or performing unauthorized operations through the PDF application's JavaScript engine. The bypass occurs through mechanisms that were not accounted for in the original security model, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or access restricted APIs that should remain unavailable to standard PDF JavaScript contexts.
This vulnerability represents a significant operational risk as it allows adversaries to circumvent the sandboxing mechanisms that protect users from malicious PDF files. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation since it enables attackers to perform actions that would normally be restricted, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's existence in multiple product versions indicates a systemic issue within the JavaScript security implementation rather than an isolated flaw.
The security implications are particularly severe given that PDF files are commonly used for document sharing and can be easily delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. Attackers can craft specially designed PDF documents that exploit this vulnerability to execute malicious code on target systems without requiring user interaction beyond opening the document. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources.
Organizations should immediately deploy the vendor-provided patches for all affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, including the specific versions mentioned in the CVE description. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as PDF file scanning, restricted browsing environments, and user education about the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered defensive strategies to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting application security models.
This vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and code execution through application-specific flaws. The technical details suggest this may relate to improper access control mechanisms within the JavaScript engine, potentially mapping to CWE-284 for improper access control or CWE-250 for execution without proper authorization. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape assessment and ensure their security monitoring systems are capable of detecting potential exploitation attempts.
The affected product versions represent a significant security gap that existed for an extended period, indicating that the vulnerability was not properly identified during the initial security review process. This highlights the complexity of modern application security and the need for comprehensive testing of security models, particularly those involving sandboxing and access control mechanisms. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their PDF handling systems and consider implementing additional controls such as application whitelisting and network-based security solutions to provide defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities.