CVE-2018-15951 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 a buffer errors vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's handling of malformed PDF files, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw exists in the parsing logic that processes certain embedded objects or streams within PDF documents, particularly when dealing with oversized or malformed data structures that exceed allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption through unchecked buffer operations during PDF file processing. When the application encounters a specially crafted PDF with oversized data fields or malformed structures, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the input size against allocated memory buffers. This results in a classic stack-based buffer overflow where executable code can be injected into adjacent memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction through opening a malicious PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks.
Successful exploitation of this buffer overflow can lead to complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is widely deployed, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common attack vector that enables privilege escalation and remote code execution in software applications.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the buffer overflow through proper input validation and memory boundary checks. Network-based defenses such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection by preventing potentially malicious documents from reaching end-user systems. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF processing activities and anomalous memory access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about opening unexpected PDF attachments and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running unsupported versions of the software. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through the manipulation of memory structures and buffer overflows.