CVE-2018-15933 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 write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds write 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-787 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer. The flaw manifests during the processing of specially crafted PDF files, where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries before performing write operations. This insufficient validation creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a significant escalation path within the attack chain. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability enables adversaries to perform privilege escalation and persistence techniques through the execution of malicious code. The out-of-bounds write condition can be exploited by crafting malicious PDF documents that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject and execute malicious payloads directly within the application context, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Security researchers have identified that exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user to open a maliciously crafted PDF file, making it a prime candidate for social engineering attacks within targeted campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves manipulating buffer boundaries during PDF parsing operations, particularly when handling complex objects or embedded content. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. Organizations should note that this vulnerability affects multiple product versions, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies across all affected deployments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, following Adobe's security bulletins and advisories. Network segmentation and email filtering can provide additional layers of defense by preventing malicious PDF files from reaching end users. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious PDF file activity and consider sandboxing PDF processing to contain potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in commercial software applications, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the CWE guidelines for preventing buffer overflow conditions. Organizations must also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files and maintain regular security assessments of their document processing environments.