CVE-2018-12869 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 document processing engine responsible for parsing pdf files and occurs when the software attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests during the handling of malformed pdf documents where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory segments. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-129 as it represents an insufficient bounds checking mechanism that allows unauthorized memory access patterns. The security implications are significant as successful exploitation could enable attackers to read sensitive data from adjacent memory locations potentially exposing confidential information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system memory contents. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the parsing layer where arbitrary pdf files are processed, making it susceptible to remote code execution through crafted malicious documents. Attackers can leverage this weakness by preparing specially crafted pdf files that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition when opened by vulnerable applications, thereby facilitating information disclosure attacks that could compromise user data and system integrity. The operational impact extends beyond simple data leakage as this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within targeted environments. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, implementing strict pdf file validation policies, and deploying network segmentation controls to limit exposure. Additionally, security teams should monitor for suspicious pdf file handling activities and consider implementing application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted documents. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1068 for exploit development, highlighting its potential for exploitation through malicious document delivery methods. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and quarantine suspicious pdf attachments that may contain the crafted payloads designed to trigger this out-of-bounds read condition. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and ensure that all affected systems have been properly updated to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.