CVE-2015-5099 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4448, CVE-2015-5095, CVE-2015-5101, CVE-2015-5111, CVE-2015-5113, and CVE-2015-5114.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
This use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat software represents a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions including Adobe Reader 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, along with various Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC releases. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed PDF files, specifically through unspecified vectors that differ from other related vulnerabilities in the same timeframe. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for attackers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management within Adobe's PDF processing engine. When parsing certain PDF objects or streams, the application fails to properly validate memory references, leading to situations where freed memory blocks are accessed again. This memory corruption can be exploited through carefully crafted PDF documents that trigger the vulnerable code path during document rendering or processing. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially escalating to system-level access depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability affects both Windows and OS X operating systems, demonstrating the cross-platform nature of the flaw and its widespread impact across different computing environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed. Organizations using these applications for document processing, viewing, and sharing become potential targets for sophisticated attacks that could result in data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDF attachments from untrusted sources. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as initial access vectors for more complex attack chains, potentially leading to full network compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions, as Adobe released security updates specifically addressing this issue in the mentioned versions. Organizations should implement strict PDF file validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and email filtering systems can help prevent malicious PDF attachments from reaching end users. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper software lifecycle management, as it represents a typical example of how memory corruption vulnerabilities can persist in widely-used applications for extended periods. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to reduce the risk of users opening malicious PDF files, since social engineering remains a common initial attack vector for such exploits.