CVE-2018-12867 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.
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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 resides in the PDF parsing functionality where the software fails to properly validate array indices when processing maliciously crafted PDF documents. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the memory access patterns during PDF file parsing, specifically when handling embedded objects or complex data structures within the document. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which represents improper validation of array index bounds, and represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior when the application attempts to read data beyond allocated memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where victims open malicious PDF files, either through email attachments or web downloads, without requiring any additional user interaction beyond the initial document opening. When exploited, the out-of-bounds read can potentially expose sensitive memory contents including stack contents, heap data, or other application memory segments that may contain authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information. This information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious documents to execute code, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices in the PDF processing engine where the software does not adequately check array bounds before accessing memory locations. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple document opening. System administrators should implement strict document filtering policies and consider sandboxing PDF viewing applications to limit potential damage. The flaw underscores the importance of robust memory safety mechanisms in document processing software and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation across all data parsing operations. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF-based attacks and ensure that all endpoints are updated to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks in widely deployed software applications.