CVE-2015-6723 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
The ANTrustPropagateAll 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-2015-6708, 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-2015-6724, 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 • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6723 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Reader and Acrobat software that specifically targets the ANTrustPropagateAll method implementation. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's flagship PDF processing applications across both Windows and macOS operating systems, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who seek to exploit JavaScript API execution restrictions. The flaw operates as a bypass mechanism that allows unauthorized code execution beyond the intended security boundaries that normally protect against potentially harmful JavaScript operations within PDF documents.
This vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and code execution flaws that are particularly dangerous in document processing software where users frequently encounter PDF files from untrusted sources. The technical implementation of the ANTrustPropagateAll method contains a logic error or oversight that permits attackers to circumvent the normal JavaScript sandboxing mechanisms that Adobe implements to prevent malicious code from executing with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is distinct from several other related issues in the same CVE batch, indicating it represents a unique code path or implementation flaw rather than a common class of vulnerability affecting the broader JavaScript engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6723 is substantial as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's session when processing malicious PDF documents. This capability allows for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the potential installation of additional malware. The vulnerability's presence in both Reader and Acrobat products means that organizations using these applications for document processing are at risk, particularly in environments where users frequently open PDF files from external sources. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions that normally prevent JavaScript from accessing system resources or executing harmful operations.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as particularly concerning due to its potential for remote code execution and the fact that it affects widely deployed software across multiple platforms. The flaw demonstrates a failure in Adobe's security model for JavaScript execution within PDF documents, specifically in how trust relationships are propagated through the ANTrustPropagateAll method. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing network-based restrictions on PDF file processing, and deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through legitimate system processes, specifically targeting the execution of code within trusted applications. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, as it allows unauthorized access to restricted JavaScript APIs that should normally be protected from exploitation. The attack vector typically involves social engineering to convince users to open malicious PDF documents, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where user education and security awareness are critical components of overall security posture. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems are updated promptly, as this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild and represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure.