CVE-2018-12798 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 Heap Overflow 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 • 03/02/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions prior to 2018.011.20040, 2017.011.30080, and 2015.006.30418 contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for end users and organizations. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of maliciously crafted pdf files and occurs when the application processes certain data structures without proper bounds checking. The heap overflow manifests when the program attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of heap-allocated buffers, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that has been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires no special privileges beyond normal user execution context, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through social engineering or drive-by download attacks. When successfully exploited, the heap overflow allows attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a critical weakness in Adobe's document processing stack that affects millions of users worldwide. Attackers can craft malicious pdf files that trigger the heap overflow when opened by vulnerable versions of Acrobat or Reader, creating a vector for remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves legitimate user access to system resources for exploitation purposes, and demonstrates how attackers can leverage trusted applications to bypass security controls. The memory corruption resulting from heap overflow can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to privilege escalation or information disclosure. Organizations that rely on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently open pdf files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version lines indicates a persistent issue in Adobe's codebase that required multiple patches to address effectively. Security teams must prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild and represents a common target for advanced persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must encompass both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements to protect against similar heap-based buffer overflow exploits. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. The patching process should be prioritized at the highest level due to the remote code execution capabilities of this vulnerability and its potential for widespread exploitation. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of untrusted pdf files, while network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious pdf file access patterns. Security professionals should also consider deploying sandboxing solutions that isolate pdf processing in restricted environments, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security assessments and proper input validation in software development practices, particularly for applications that process untrusted data from external sources. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected applications and ensure that their patch management processes are robust enough to handle critical security updates in a timely manner. The remediation process should also include user education initiatives to raise awareness about the risks of opening pdf files from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping software updated.