CVE-2018-15937 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications suffer from an untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability that exists in multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input when processing specific file formats, particularly those involving embedded objects or complex data structures. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to dereference a pointer that has not been adequately validated or sanitized, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects versions 2018.011.20063 and earlier, 2017.011.30102 and earlier, and 2015.006.30452 and earlier, indicating a long-standing issue that spans multiple major releases and represents a significant security gap in Adobe's document processing libraries. From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, though the untrusted nature of the pointer makes it more severe. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, persistent backdoor installation, and lateral movement within compromised networks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically occurs when a user opens a maliciously crafted PDF file that contains specially constructed data structures designed to trigger the untrusted pointer dereference. Attackers can leverage this flaw by embedding malformed objects or exploiting specific parsing routines within the Acrobat Reader or Acrobat processing engine. The attack surface is particularly broad given that PDF files are commonly shared across organizations and individuals, making this vulnerability highly attractive for threat actors. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability is most likely to be exploited through social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious documents, often delivered via email attachments or compromised websites. The potential for remote code execution makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently handle documents from external sources and where the software is often running with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities for remote code execution, and T1059, which covers command and control through application layer protocols.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of Adobe's security patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy involves deploying the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain fixes for this specific pointer dereference issue. System administrators should implement network-based protections including email filtering and web proxy rules that can identify and block potentially malicious PDF files. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF documents from trusted sources and verifying document authenticity before opening attachments. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise such as unusual network connections, unauthorized file modifications, or suspicious process activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices including regular patch management, application whitelisting, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing advanced endpoint protection solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts, particularly those involving memory corruption vulnerabilities.