CVE-2018-15987 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 a buffer errors vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2023
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities that stem from insufficient input validation in the handling of malformed PDF files. These buffer errors occur when the software processes untrusted input data without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions including 2019.008.20081 and earlier, 2017.011.30106 and earlier, and 2015.006.30457 and earlier releases, indicating a persistent flaw in the software's memory management routines. The technical implementation involves improper buffer size calculations and lack of input sanitization when parsing PDF objects, particularly in the handling of embedded content and complex data structures. These vulnerabilities fall under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that may occur during dynamic memory allocation. The exploitation of these buffer overflows can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the targeted user. This creates a significant operational impact as users may unknowingly trigger the vulnerability through legitimate PDF file viewing activities, particularly when opening maliciously crafted documents. Attackers can leverage these flaws to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware. The attack surface is broad given that PDF files are commonly shared and opened across various platforms and environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203, which involves exploitation for execution, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF attachments. Organizations should immediately apply the latest security patches from Adobe to address these buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement email filtering solutions to block suspicious PDF attachments and deploy endpoint protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted PDF files is essential to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments should include testing for these specific buffer overflow conditions in all installed versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in software applications and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation to prevent memory corruption attacks.