CVE-2018-15931 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 untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical untrusted pointer dereference 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 software flaw where the application fails to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing them. The technical nature of this issue places it squarely within the scope of CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to application crashes or more severe security consequences. When processing maliciously crafted PDF documents, the vulnerable software attempts to access memory locations through pointers that have not been properly validated, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns. This particular vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code, making it a significant threat vector for privilege escalation and remote code execution attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers can craft PDF files that trigger the untrusted pointer dereference condition when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader, potentially leading to remote code execution without user interaction. The memory corruption that occurs during this process can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations, inject malicious code, or manipulate program execution flow. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious documents, and the attack surface includes any system with vulnerable Adobe software installed. The exploitation chain typically involves preparing a malicious PDF document that contains malformed data structures designed to trigger the pointer dereference during normal document rendering operations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official Adobe security patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing strict software update policies that ensure all systems running Adobe Acrobat or Reader are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Security administrators should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of untrusted PDF files and implement network-based security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious PDF content. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and avoiding suspicious email attachments or downloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and highlights the risks associated with legacy software versions that may not receive continued security support. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify systems running vulnerable Adobe software versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.