CVE-2018-12853 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 buffer errors vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that affects multiple product versions 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 overflow a buffer in memory. The flaw manifests during the parsing of pdf objects, particularly when handling malformed or maliciously constructed data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a fundamental memory corruption issue that has been a persistent concern in software security for decades.
The exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution on the targeted system, providing attackers with complete control over the affected application and potentially the underlying operating system. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability through a malicious pdf file, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. This allows the attacker to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application, typically running with the same permissions as the user who opened the document. The attack vector is particularly concerning because pdf files are commonly encountered in email attachments, web downloads, and shared documents, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing and sharing. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures, especially in environments where users frequently open pdf documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers could establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads through compromised systems. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation, making it a particularly dangerous entry point for attackers seeking to maintain long-term access to target environments.
Organizations should immediately apply the security patches released by Adobe to address this vulnerability, as no reliable workarounds exist for the buffer overflow issue. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, which include memory safety improvements and input validation controls that prevent the buffer overflow condition. Security administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as pdf file scanning, restricted user permissions, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and highlights the critical need for organizations to establish robust vulnerability management processes that can quickly respond to emerging threats in widely used software applications.