CVE-2015-7614 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow attackers to bypass JavaScript API execution restrictions and execute arbitrary commands via an app.launchURL call, 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-2015-6723, CVE-2015-6724, CVE-2015-6725, 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
This vulnerability resides within Adobe Reader and Acrobat software versions prior to specific patches, creating a critical security gap that allows attackers to circumvent JavaScript API execution restrictions. The flaw specifically manifests through the app.launchURL function call, which should normally be restricted but can be exploited to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This represents a significant bypass of the application's security model that was designed to prevent unauthorized system interactions. The vulnerability affects multiple product lines including the classic and continuous versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, spanning across both Windows and macOS operating systems, indicating a widespread impact across the Adobe ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of the app.launchURL JavaScript function within the Adobe Reader and Acrobat environments. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF document containing a specially constructed app.launchURL call, the software fails to properly enforce execution restrictions that should prevent arbitrary command execution. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the PDF viewer and the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as a command injection issue, where user-supplied input is directly executed without proper sanitization or validation. The attack vector requires social engineering to deliver a malicious PDF document, but once executed, the payload can perform actions that bypass standard security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7614 is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Adobe software. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established within the target environment. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack scenarios including phishing campaigns, malicious document delivery, or supply chain attacks where compromised PDF files are distributed through legitimate channels. The attack follows the typical pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are particularly vulnerable to targeted attacks that exploit this weakness, as the software is widely deployed across enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations to the latest versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement strict document handling policies that prevent execution of potentially malicious PDF files, particularly those originating from untrusted sources. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and email filtering solutions should be configured to block suspicious PDF content and monitor for known malicious indicators. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Adobe Reader and Acrobat with minimal system permissions, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous JavaScript execution patterns and unauthorized system command execution attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing solutions for PDF processing and regularly update their threat intelligence feeds to identify new variants of this attack pattern. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security controls to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting document readers and viewers.