CVE-2018-12813 in Digital Editions
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Digital Editions versions 4.5.8 and below have a heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2020
Adobe Digital Editions version 4.5.8 and earlier contains a heap overflow vulnerability that arises from improper handling of malformed input data within the application's memory management routines. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though in this case the issue manifests as heap-based memory corruption. The flaw occurs when the application processes specially crafted digital content files that contain oversized or malformed data structures, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can be exploited by malicious actors. The heap overflow vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious digital content file that triggers the heap overflow condition during the parsing process. When Adobe Digital Editions attempts to process such malformed input, the application's memory allocation routines fail to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate content processing pathways, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation controls. The vulnerability exists in the application's document parsing engine, which is responsible for handling various digital publishing formats including epub and pdf documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain complete control over the affected system. Attackers could potentially install malware, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Adobe Digital Editions for managing digital content, particularly those in publishing, education, and corporate training environments where such applications are commonly deployed. The risk is heightened because the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics, where users unknowingly open maliciously crafted documents that trigger the heap overflow condition.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Adobe Digital Editions to version 4.5.9 or later, which contains the necessary memory validation fixes. Organizations should also implement strict content filtering policies that prevent the processing of untrusted digital documents, particularly those received from external sources. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by limiting where the vulnerable application can be executed. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices as outlined in the software security principles of the OWASP Top Ten and the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the T1059 technique for execution through command and scripting interpreters. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and alert on potential heap overflow conditions in their software environments.