CVE-2018-15941 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 • 03/31/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability resides in the handling of specific file formats and processing functions within the software's core rendering engine. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed input data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries during document parsing operations. The vulnerability has been assigned CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array. This particular issue affects versions 2018.011.20063 and earlier, 2017.011.30102 and earlier, and 2015.006.30452 and earlier, representing a substantial portion of the software's user base across different product lines and release cycles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious document that triggers the out-of-bounds write condition during normal document processing. When the vulnerable application attempts to parse and render the crafted document, the memory corruption causes the program to write data beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening operations, making it highly suitable for phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. The attacker does not require any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques beyond creating a malicious document, as the vulnerability exists within the application's normal processing flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially affect entire enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat and Reader are widely deployed. Organizations using these applications for document processing, signing, and viewing operations face significant risk from this vulnerability. The out-of-bounds write condition creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through various attack surfaces including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing platforms. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 category for "Exploitation for Client Execution," where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across different industries means that a successful exploitation could result in data breaches, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within target networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and deployment of the latest Adobe security updates. Organizations must prioritize updating all affected versions to the latest releases that contain the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds write condition. Additionally, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent the delivery of malicious documents to end users. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted documents and limit the attack surface. The vulnerability's classification as a critical issue by Adobe underscores the importance of immediate remediation, as the potential for remote code execution makes it a high-priority target for threat actors. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring should be conducted to ensure that all systems remain protected against similar future vulnerabilities.