CVE-2015-5087 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 execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3095, CVE-2015-5094, CVE-2015-5100, CVE-2015-5102, CVE-2015-5103, CVE-2015-5104, and CVE-2015-5115.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to specific patch levels contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability affects multiple product versions including Reader 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, as well as various Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions released in 2015. The flaw represents a distinct security issue from several other vulnerabilities documented in the same timeframe, indicating a separate code path or implementation error within the software's processing mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues that are commonly classified as CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read conditions, or CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are frequently exploited in zero-day attacks against PDF processing libraries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the affected Adobe software processes maliciously crafted PDF documents, leading to improper memory handling during document parsing or rendering operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing specially formatted PDF files that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption scenarios when the vulnerable application attempts to parse or display the malicious content. The memory corruption typically manifests through stack or heap corruption, which can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised user account. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, making it a prime target for spear-phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The vulnerability's impact is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain initial access to systems, and T1059, representing command and control through compromised applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5087 extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability's presence in both Windows and OS X platforms creates cross-platform attack vectors, increasing the attack surface for potential adversaries. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their incident response protocols, as it may require immediate patch deployment across multiple systems and platforms. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with common attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly concerning privilege escalation and persistent access mechanisms that attackers often establish after initial compromise. Organizations should implement network segmentation and application whitelisting policies to limit potential exploitation opportunities, while also ensuring timely deployment of vendor security patches to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch management implementation, with organizations prioritizing deployment of Adobe security updates for all affected versions. The recommended approach involves establishing automated patch management processes to ensure timely remediation across all systems running vulnerable Adobe software. Network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions can provide additional layers of defense while patches are being deployed. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious PDF file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should identify systems running outdated Adobe software versions that may be vulnerable to this and similar memory corruption issues. The vulnerability's characteristics align with standard security best practices for managing third-party software dependencies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing proper security controls around document processing applications. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability through malicious PDF attachments.