CVE-2018-12838 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 stack overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a stack overflow 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 when processing specially crafted pdf files, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate memory allocation on the stack. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly bounds-check data during pdf parsing operations, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated bounds and overwrites adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability creates a potential execution path that could be exploited through crafted pdf documents delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. When exploited, the stack overflow can lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure, as the corrupted stack memory may contain sensitive data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or application state information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise and consumer environments, making this vulnerability a significant target for threat actors seeking persistent access to systems. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive documents, escalate privileges, or establish persistence within target networks. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches, intellectual property theft, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as pdf files often contain embedded javascript that can be leveraged to trigger the overflow condition. Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability represents a critical risk that can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Additional mitigations include implementing strict pdf file validation policies, deploying sandboxing solutions, and monitoring for suspicious pdf file activity within network environments. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities in widely used applications. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious pdf attachments, as well as network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates how legacy software components continue to pose significant security risks even when they are widely deployed and considered stable by users.