CVE-2018-15926 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 • 08/06/2024
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 falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when a program attempts to access memory beyond the boundaries of a buffer. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted PDF files that contain malformed data structures, particularly within the document parsing routines that handle various PDF objects and their associated metadata. When the affected software attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, it can inadvertently expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically occurs through social engineering tactics where attackers craft malicious PDF documents designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader. Upon processing the malicious file, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate buffer boundaries, leading to information disclosure. This information disclosure can potentially include sensitive data such as memory addresses, encryption keys, or other confidential information that may be stored in memory adjacent to the affected buffer. The vulnerability represents a significant risk as it can be exploited remotely through web-based attacks or through email attachments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently interact with untrusted PDF content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial security risks for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing and viewing. The information disclosure could potentially lead to credential theft, system compromise, or exposure of proprietary data that could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through Portable Document Format files, and T1005 for data from local systems. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, potential system compromise, and increased attack surface for more sophisticated threats. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements for data protection and information security standards such as those outlined in ISO 27001 and NIST frameworks, as it creates potential exposure of confidential data through memory leakage.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including prompt application of Adobe's security patches and updates for all affected versions of Acrobat and Reader. System administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques and restricting PDF file execution in high-security environments. Network-based mitigations such as PDF content filtering and email gateway scanning can help prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about the risks of opening untrusted PDF files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Adobe Reader to trusted environments only. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping software up-to-date and maintaining robust patch management processes as recommended by NIST SP 800-40 and other cybersecurity frameworks.