CVE-2018-16006 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
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's document processing engine, specifically when handling malformed PDF files. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious documents that trigger memory access violations, enabling unauthorized data extraction from the application's memory space. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125, which represents an out-of-bounds read condition where an application reads memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries. When exploited, this vulnerability can result in information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive data such as memory contents, encryption keys, or other confidential information stored in the application's working memory. The affected versions include the 2019, 2017, and 2015 series, indicating this flaw has persisted across multiple release cycles and affects a broad user base. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering tactics, delivering malicious PDF files via email attachments, compromised websites, or malicious document repositories. The exploitation technique typically involves crafting a specially formatted PDF that causes the application to access memory locations outside of its intended buffer boundaries, leading to the disclosure of information that may include system memory contents, user data, or application state information.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16006 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability can potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the attack chain defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Security researchers have observed that this vulnerability can be leveraged in combination with other exploits to achieve remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is commonly used for document processing. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the document parsing logic that was not adequately addressed through patch cycles, indicating a broader issue with input validation mechanisms. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious document is opened, making it particularly effective in targeted attacks. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability can reveal sensitive operational data, potentially exposing internal network structures, user credentials, or application-specific information that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically just opening a malicious document, making it highly effective for mass deployment attacks. Security analysts have noted that the vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in environments where Acrobat Reader is used to process untrusted documents, such as in financial institutions, government agencies, or any organization handling sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16006 focus primarily on immediate patching and operational security measures. Adobe has released security updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems. In environments where patching cannot be immediately implemented, administrators should consider implementing document filtering mechanisms that block potentially malicious PDF files before they reach end users. The vulnerability's classification as an out-of-bounds read makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through controlled memory access patterns, which can be detected through network monitoring and endpoint detection systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous PDF processing behavior, including unusual memory access patterns or unexpected data disclosures. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF document processing, isolating potentially malicious documents in secure environments to prevent information disclosure. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates that organizations should establish robust patch management processes to ensure all Acrobat Reader installations remain current with security updates. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of not opening unexpected PDF attachments and verifying document sources before processing potentially malicious content. Network security controls should include deep packet inspection capabilities to identify and block known malicious PDF signatures, while endpoint security solutions should provide real-time monitoring for suspicious document processing activities. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution through combination with other exploits makes comprehensive security measures essential for protecting against both immediate exploitation and future attack vectors that may build upon this initial compromise.