CVE-2018-15989 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 core issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the software processes certain malformed input data within PDF documents. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities in software systems. The flaw typically arises when an application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted PDF file is opened within the affected Adobe applications. During the parsing process, the software fails to properly validate input boundaries, allowing an attacker to construct a PDF document that triggers the out-of-bounds memory access. This condition can result in the disclosure of sensitive information that may be stored in adjacent memory locations, potentially including encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple document opening, requiring no additional user interaction beyond loading the malicious file.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing and sharing. The information disclosure threat means that attackers could potentially extract sensitive data from system memory, including but not limited to authentication tokens, personal identification information, or proprietary business data. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions across different release cycles indicates a persistent flaw in Adobe's codebase that required ongoing patching efforts. This affects both enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is widely deployed and individual users who may encounter malicious PDF files through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the technique of credential access and defense evasion. The out-of-bounds read could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial access is gained through social engineering, followed by information extraction using this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt patch deployment for all affected versions, network-based intrusion detection system rules to identify suspicious PDF file transfers, and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Adobe Reader in high-security environments, and regularly monitor for anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party software updated and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to such memory corruption vulnerabilities effectively.