CVE-2018-15948 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 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-129 weakness category, specifically representing an insufficient input validation flaw that allows an attacker to read memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated buffers. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of PDF documents where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes before accessing memory regions. When maliciously crafted PDF files are opened, the application attempts to read data from memory locations that are outside the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with access to memory contents that may include cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the information disclosure to craft more sophisticated attacks. The out-of-bounds read condition typically results in a crash or unpredictable behavior, but in some cases, it may allow for information leakage that can be exploited for further attacks. The vulnerability represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, as it can be triggered through social engineering campaigns or automated exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations across all systems. Organizations should implement strict PDF document handling policies that include content filtering and sandboxing measures for incoming documents. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and email security gateways should be configured to block suspicious PDF attachments or files from untrusted sources. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual memory access patterns or application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices, which aligns with security standards requiring robust buffer overflow protection mechanisms. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other software components, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar out-of-bounds read conditions that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality.