CVE-2018-15946 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 versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's document parsing mechanisms, specifically when processing malformed or crafted PDF files. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for unauthorized data retrieval from adjacent memory locations. Such behavior fundamentally violates the principle of memory safety and can expose sensitive information stored in nearby memory segments. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which represents a well-established class of memory corruption issues that have historically led to information disclosure and potential privilege escalation scenarios. The affected versions span across three major release branches, indicating a persistent flaw in the software's parsing logic that was not adequately addressed through standard security updates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. When an attacker successfully triggers this out-of-bounds read condition, they can potentially extract sensitive data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or system memory contents that may contain confidential information. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat Reader is widely deployed for document review and collaboration purposes. The attack surface is broad since PDF files can be received through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, often only opening a malicious PDF document, making it highly suitable for social engineering campaigns. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it can serve as a foundation for more complex attack chains. The information disclosure aspect directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system, enabling attackers to gather intelligence about the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves immediate deployment of patched versions from Adobe's security advisories, specifically targeting the affected release versions mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that restrict PDF file access to trusted sources and employ sandboxing mechanisms to isolate document processing activities. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and email security gateways should be configured to scan and block suspicious PDF content before it reaches end-user systems. Additionally, regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted PDF files, as user behavior remains a critical factor in successful exploitation attempts. System administrators should monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF processing activities and implement automated patch management processes to ensure timely vulnerability remediation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with industry standards that recommend comprehensive testing including fuzzing and static analysis to identify similar out-of-bounds access patterns in software components.