CVE-2018-12781 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 functionality. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where an application attempts to read data beyond the boundaries of a valid memory buffer. The flaw occurs when processing maliciously crafted pdf files that contain malformed data structures, particularly within the document metadata or embedded object handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed pdf documents that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access during parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables adversaries to perform out-of-bounds memory reads that can potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. When the vulnerable application processes the malicious pdf file, it fails to properly validate the size and boundaries of data structures before accessing them, leading to the reading of uninitialized or adjacent memory segments. This memory corruption can result in the disclosure of confidential data including but not limited to cryptographic keys, user credentials, system information, or other sensitive application data that happens to reside in the affected memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple document opening operations without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond the initial document loading.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-12781 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the context of a compromised system. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could facilitate techniques such as information gathering and credential access through the exposure of sensitive data in memory. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions and deployment scenarios, making it a widespread concern for organizations using Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications. Organizations that process untrusted pdf documents, such as email systems, document management platforms, or web applications that handle pdf uploads, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The attack surface is broad as pdf files are commonly used across various industries and can be easily distributed through email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular security updates and patch deployment schedules. Network-based defenses such as pdf content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection for environments where immediate patching is not feasible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory access patterns or potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted pdf documents and implementing least privilege access controls can help reduce the overall attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards.