CVE-2018-15984 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.008.20081 and earlier, 2019.008.20080 and earlier, 2019.008.20081 and earlier, 2017.011.30106 and earlier version, 2017.011.30105 and earlier version, 2015.006.30457 and earlier, and 2015.006.30456 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 • 08/05/2024
This vulnerability exists in multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software, specifically affecting versions up to and including 2019.008.20081, 2017.011.30106, 2015.006.30457, and their respective earlier releases. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing specially crafted PDF files, representing a critical security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read scenarios where programs access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability typically arises when input validation is insufficient or when array indexing operations do not properly check boundary conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's PDF parsing engine failing to properly validate array indices or buffer limits when processing maliciously constructed PDF documents. When a user opens or interacts with a crafted PDF file, the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This out-of-bounds read operation can inadvertently reveal information such as stack contents, heap data, or other sensitive memory segments that may contain authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The exploitation requires a user to open a malicious PDF file, making this a client-side attack vector that can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could potentially contain sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could use the information disclosure to gain insights into the application's memory layout, potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques such as information leakage attacks or aiding in the development of additional exploits. The vulnerability affects widely used software applications, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across numerous systems without requiring specific system configurations. The risk is compounded by the fact that PDF files are commonly encountered in business environments, making legitimate user interactions with malicious documents highly probable.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software to remediate this vulnerability, as Adobe has released patches addressing the out-of-bounds read condition. System administrators should implement strict PDF file validation procedures and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PDF files, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection strategies. Security teams should monitor for suspicious PDF file deliveries and implement email filtering solutions that can identify and block potentially malicious documents. Additionally, regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF attachments, particularly those received through email communications. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify systems running affected versions and ensure all endpoints are properly updated according to Adobe's security advisories.