CVE-2015-5108 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow 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-2015-5097 and CVE-2015-5109.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5108 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions and platforms. This vulnerability specifically impacts Adobe Reader versions 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, along with Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 2015.006.30060 and DC Continuous before 2015.008.20082 on both Windows and OS X operating systems. The flaw stems from improper handling of integer values during memory allocation processes, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate data structures to trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
Integer overflow vulnerabilities occur when a program attempts to store a value that exceeds the maximum capacity of the integer data type being used. In the context of CVE-2015-5108, this flaw manifests during the processing of maliciously crafted PDF documents where the application fails to properly validate integer parameters before performing memory operations. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the integer values in such a way that when the application attempts to allocate memory or process data structures, the overflow results in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in software security. The attack vector typically involves crafting a specially designed PDF file that, when opened by the vulnerable application, triggers the integer overflow condition during document parsing or rendering operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5108 is severe and potentially devastating for organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's exploitation capability extends beyond simple code execution to include privilege escalation scenarios, as successful exploitation often results in elevated system privileges. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as attackers can use the arbitrary code execution to establish persistent access and deploy additional malicious tools. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as a single compromised system can serve as a foothold for broader attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5108 focus primarily on immediate software updates and patch management procedures. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions, with the most critical fixes available in Acrobat and Reader 10.1.15, 11.0.12, and their respective DC versions. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, particularly those handling sensitive documents or serving as entry points for enterprise networks. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict PDF file filtering at network boundaries, using sandboxing technologies to isolate document processing, and employing application whitelisting to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous PDF processing activities and unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that all Adobe applications remain updated and that appropriate security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized code execution in document processing environments.