CVE-2018-12780 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 read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions prior to 2018.011.20040, 2017.011.30080, and 2015.006.30418 contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within the document parsing mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses issues related to insufficient validation of length or index values during array access operations. The flaw occurs when the software processes maliciously crafted PDF files that contain malformed data structures, particularly within the document object model where array boundaries are not properly enforced. When the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, it can inadvertently expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. An attacker could leverage this out-of-bounds read condition to extract stack canaries, heap metadata, or other sensitive data that might aid in bypassing security mitigations such as address space layout randomization or stack canaries. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers might use the information disclosure to craft more effective payload delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because PDF documents are widely used in enterprise environments, making this a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors who seek to gather intelligence from compromised systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted PDF file that triggers the flawed memory access pattern during document rendering or parsing. The out-of-bounds read occurs when the application processes malformed array indices or length specifications within PDF objects, causing the memory management system to access memory locations that were not intended for the current operation. This type of vulnerability typically manifests when the software fails to validate array bounds before performing memory operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution flow or extract sensitive data from memory. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can expose cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in memory, potentially leading to further compromise of affected systems. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions to prevent exploitation and maintain compliance with security standards that require timely remediation of known vulnerabilities.