CVE-2018-12778 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.011.20058 and earlier, 2017.011.30099 and earlier, and 2015.006.30448 and earlier have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the PDF parsing functionality where the software fails to properly bounds-check array accesses when processing maliciously crafted PDF documents. The flaw exists in the way these applications handle certain embedded data structures during document rendering, specifically when encountering malformed or specially constructed arrays that exceed their expected boundaries. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-129 - Improper Validation of Array Index and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to information disclosure or potentially more severe exploitation vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious PDF file is opened in the affected Adobe applications, triggering an out-of-bounds memory read operation that allows attackers to access data from adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability typically results in information disclosure rather than direct code execution, though it can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The out-of-bounds read can expose sensitive information such as memory addresses, encryption keys, or other confidential data that may be stored in adjacent memory segments. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability manifests during the processing of specific PDF elements that are parsed without adequate bounds checking, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open untrusted PDF documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant security risk for organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document handling. The widespread adoption of these applications across enterprise environments means that successful exploitation could compromise sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, or personal information contained in PDF documents. Attackers could potentially craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, would trigger the vulnerability and exfiltrate confidential data from the victim's system. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for industries such as finance, healthcare, legal services, and government agencies where document security is paramount.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management procedures to address this vulnerability. Adobe has released security updates for all affected versions, and administrators should ensure that all instances of Adobe Acrobat and Reader are updated to the latest versions. The mitigation strategy should include implementing strict document handling policies, deploying sandboxing solutions for PDF processing, and conducting regular security assessments of document handling workflows. Additionally, organizations should consider network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious PDF file transfers, as well as user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited through document-based attack vectors.