CVE-2018-12834 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.011.20063 and earlier, 2017.011.30102 and earlier, and 2015.006.30452 and earlier have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2018.011.20063 and earlier, 2017.011.30102 and earlier, and 2015.006.30452 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the document processing engine that fails to properly bounds-check memory access when parsing maliciously crafted pdf files. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read as defined in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which classifies it as a memory safety issue where applications read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. The vulnerability operates through the document parsing subsystem where pdf objects are processed, particularly affecting the handling of embedded fonts and complex graphical elements that trigger the problematic code path. When exploited, this vulnerability can be leveraged through social engineering techniques where victims open maliciously crafted pdf documents, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable privilege escalation attacks, as attackers can use the information obtained from the out-of-bounds read to discover memory layout details and application state information. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it represents a client-side exploitation vector that can be delivered through pdf attachments. The risk is compounded by the widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking broad impact. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where proper bounds checking mechanisms are either absent or insufficiently implemented in the document parsing logic, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered by manipulating specific pdf file structures. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability requires no user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it a significant concern for security teams managing enterprise document processing environments. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in memory safety controls that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system information, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised networks.