CVE-2015-6708 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
The ANStartApproval method in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.16 and 11.x before 11.0.13, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 2015.006.30094, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 2015.009.20069 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to bypass JavaScript API execution restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6707, CVE-2015-6709, CVE-2015-6710, CVE-2015-6711, CVE-2015-6712, CVE-2015-6713, CVE-2015-6714, CVE-2015-6715, CVE-2015-6716, CVE-2015-6717, CVE-2015-6718, CVE-2015-6719, CVE-2015-6720, CVE-2015-6721, CVE-2015-6722, CVE-2015-6723, CVE-2015-6724, CVE-2015-6725, CVE-2015-7614, CVE-2015-7616, CVE-2015-7618, CVE-2015-7619, CVE-2015-7620, and CVE-2015-7623.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6708 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Reader and Acrobat software versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue affects multiple product lines including Adobe Reader 10.x before 10.1.16 and 11.x before 11.0.13, along with various Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic and Continuous versions. The vulnerability specifically targets the ANStartApproval method which is responsible for managing approval workflows within the PDF processing framework. This flaw operates at the core of Adobe's JavaScript API execution environment, creating a pathway for attackers to circumvent established security restrictions that normally prevent malicious code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern PDF processing systems where legitimate approval mechanisms can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to restricted API functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation within the ANStartApproval method that handles approval workflows. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to bypass JavaScript API execution restrictions that are typically enforced by the software's security model. This bypass mechanism operates at the application layer, allowing malicious actors to execute code that would normally be restricted by the PDF processing engine's security controls. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the legitimate approval workflow process, enabling attackers to manipulate the execution environment and gain access to restricted API functions that should only be available to trusted applications or users. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and code execution flaws, with direct implications for the security boundaries maintained by Adobe's PDF processing framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6708 is significant within enterprise and organizational environments where Adobe Reader and Acrobat are extensively deployed. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in multiple product versions across different operating systems including Windows and OS X increases the attack surface substantially. Organizations relying on PDF processing for business operations face elevated risk of data breaches, malware infections, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs in the same year demonstrates a pattern of security weaknesses within Adobe's PDF processing architecture, suggesting systemic issues in API security enforcement and input validation mechanisms. This particular flaw represents a critical weakness in Adobe's security model that could enable attackers to perform actions such as arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6708 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Adobe. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically targeting the releases that address this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement additional security controls including PDF file scanning, restricted browsing environments, and sandboxing techniques to limit potential exploitation. The vulnerability's nature suggests that implementing proper input validation and API access controls would be beneficial for preventing similar issues in the future. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based detection measures that can identify malicious PDF files attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations may also need to consider alternative PDF processing solutions or enhanced security measures for handling untrusted PDF documents, particularly in high-risk environments where the potential impact of exploitation could be severe.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which describes permissions, privileges, and access control issues in software systems. The flaw represents a classic case of improper access control where legitimate approval workflows are being exploited to gain unauthorized access to restricted functionality. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through application vulnerabilities. The attack surface for this vulnerability spans across multiple execution environments and operating systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where diverse systems may be running vulnerable versions. The technical nature of the flaw also suggests potential mapping to techniques involving code injection and API manipulation within application security contexts. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security assessment of their PDF processing infrastructure and implement comprehensive security measures that address both immediate patching needs and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.