CVE-2015-5114 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-2015-5099, CVE-2015-5101, CVE-2015-5111, and CVE-2015-5113.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The CVE-2015-5114 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat products across multiple versions and operating systems. 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 platforms. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through unspecified vectors, making it a significant threat to enterprise and individual users who rely on Adobe's document processing software. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-4448, CVE-2015-5095, CVE-2015-5099, CVE-2015-5101, CVE-2015-5111, and CVE-2015-5113, this particular vulnerability operates through distinct attack vectors that require specific exploitation conditions.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Adobe's PDF processing engine. When handling maliciously crafted PDF documents, the software fails to properly validate memory references, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate freed memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions that can lead to code execution. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has already been released, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting a specially designed PDF file that triggers the memory management error during document parsing or rendering operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5114 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can bypass multiple security controls. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software across both Windows and OS X environments creates a substantial attack surface for threat actors. Organizations relying on Adobe Reader and Acrobat for document processing face significant risk, as users may inadvertently open malicious documents through email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation often involves executing malicious code within the application context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5114 require immediate action through software updates and system hardening measures. Adobe released patches for all affected versions, including updates for Adobe Reader 10.1.15 and 11.0.12, as well as the respective DC Classic and Continuous versions. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a direct path to system compromise. Additional protective measures include implementing email filtering solutions to block suspicious PDF attachments, disabling PDF processing in web browsers where possible, and employing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted PDF documents. The vulnerability's remediation directly addresses CWE-416 through proper memory management practices, ensuring that freed memory locations are not accessed or reused by malicious code.