CVE-2018-12792 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 a Use-after-free 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 • 08/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12792 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This security weakness exists within the document processing components of these applications, specifically in how they handle memory management during the processing of PDF files. The vulnerability manifests when the software attempts to access memory locations that have already been freed, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted PDF documents can trigger unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which classifies it as a condition where software frees a memory location and then continues to use that memory location, leading to potential exploitation by adversaries. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file containing specially constructed objects, the vulnerable Adobe application processes these elements in a way that causes memory to be freed while the application still maintains references to it. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate the freed memory through carefully constructed payloads, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems where vulnerable Adobe applications are installed. Since the exploitation occurs within the context of the current user, successful attacks could lead to data theft, system compromise, or the installation of additional malware. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions across different release cycles, indicating a persistent flaw in the memory management implementation that required multiple releases to address. This widespread impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly deployed across numerous endpoints.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under techniques related to exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation. The use-after-free condition creates a direct pathway for attackers to move from initial compromise to persistent access within target environments. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a straightforward method to achieve arbitrary code execution. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and application whitelisting policies can help reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.