CVE-2018-12837 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 a heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the processing of malformed PDF files, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate heap memory allocation patterns to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw manifests when the software handles specific malformed input structures that trigger buffer overflows in heap-based memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening a maliciously crafted PDF document, making it a prime target for sophisticated attack campaigns. The heap overflow occurs due to insufficient bounds checking in the parsing logic for certain PDF objects, specifically those related to font handling and embedded content processing. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which represents a well-known and dangerous class of memory corruption flaws that have been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks. The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing them to redirect program execution flow through stack manipulation or by overwriting function pointers. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed across enterprise environments, making successful exploitation potentially impactful at scale. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected versions include several major release cycles spanning from 2015 through 2018, indicating a prolonged period during which this vulnerability remained unpatched. This extended timeframe increases the risk profile significantly as organizations may have been exposed to potential exploitation for months or years without proper mitigation. The vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious documents and privilege escalation through code execution. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable applications face a substantial risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where users regularly open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in memory safety within complex document processing software, highlighting the need for robust input validation and memory management practices. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in other Adobe products, suggesting that this represents a systemic issue in how these applications handle memory allocation for complex document structures. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of all affected versions, with particular attention to legacy systems that may not receive regular updates. Additionally, organizations should implement defensive measures such as PDF sandboxing, restricted user permissions, and content filtering to reduce the attack surface. Network-based protections including web application firewalls and email filtering systems can help prevent delivery of malicious PDF files to end users. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing comprehensive security controls for document processing applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should prioritize identification and remediation of similar heap-based memory corruption issues across the entire software portfolio. This vulnerability also highlights the need for better software security practices during development phases, including the adoption of memory-safe programming languages and automated memory safety testing tools to prevent similar issues in future releases.