CVE-2018-12872 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read 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 resides in the handling of malformed PDF files and represents a classic memory safety issue that falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw occurs when the applications process specially crafted PDF documents that contain malformed data structures, causing the software to attempt reading memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated buffers. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and memory management, where improper input validation leads to unauthorized memory access patterns that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in information disclosure, where an attacker with knowledge of memory layout patterns may be able to extract sensitive data from the application's memory space. The out-of-bounds read allows for potential information leakage that could include memory contents, application state information, or even credentials stored in adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of Adobe Reader and Acrobat because these applications often process untrusted PDF files from email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms, making them prime targets for exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could be leveraged for information gathering and potentially as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2018-12872 extends beyond simple information disclosure to represent a significant risk in enterprise environments where PDF processing is common. Organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Reader for document review and processing face potential exposure to attackers who could craft malicious PDF files to trigger this vulnerability. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version lines indicates a widespread issue that requires immediate attention across various deployment scenarios, from individual user workstations to large-scale enterprise document management systems. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly when evaluating the risk of zero-day exploitation and the potential for chained attacks that could leverage this information disclosure capability as a precursor to more serious compromises.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of patches provided by Adobe to address the out-of-bounds read condition in the affected versions. Organizations should prioritize updating all instances of Adobe Acrobat and Reader to versions that have been verified to contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing content filtering measures that scan PDF files for suspicious patterns and employing sandboxing techniques for PDF processing can provide defense-in-depth measures. Network administrators should consider blocking or quarantining PDF files from untrusted sources until systems are properly patched. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue underscores the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development practices, particularly in applications that process complex file formats like PDF documents. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.