CVE-2018-12754 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier versions have an Out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions prior to 2018.011.20040, 2017.011.30080, and 2015.006.30418 contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for end users. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can result in arbitrary code execution. The flaw occurs when the affected software processes certain malformed PDF files, leading to memory corruption that adversaries can exploit to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the document parsing routines, particularly when handling specific data structures within PDF objects.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise user systems through social engineering or drive-by download attacks. When a user opens a maliciously crafted PDF document, the vulnerable application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially overwriting critical program structures or executable code. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow, ultimately allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application context. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF documents are commonly shared through email attachments, web downloads, and document repositories, making exploitation relatively accessible to threat actors.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and control through application execution. The successful exploitation creates a persistent threat vector that can be used for further lateral movement within compromised networks or to establish backdoors for continued access. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader exploitation chain that could lead to complete system compromise, especially in environments where users frequently open untrusted PDF documents. The vulnerability's classification as an out-of-bounds write makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based delivery, file sharing platforms, and malicious email attachments.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a straightforward path to achieve arbitrary code execution. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, which include proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. Additionally, implementing content filtering measures such as PDF sandboxing, email scanning, and user education about opening suspicious documents can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also monitor network traffic for potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regular software updates and proper input validation in preventing memory corruption exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.