CVE-2018-16013 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
This vulnerability resides in Adobe Acrobat and Reader software across multiple version ranges, specifically affecting versions up to and including 2019.008.20081, 2017.011.30106, 2015.006.30457, and their respective earlier releases. The out-of-bounds read flaw represents a critical memory safety issue that occurs when the application processes certain malformed input data without proper validation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of Out-of-Bounds Read, which is classified as a memory safety error that allows attackers to access memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when the software attempts to read data from memory locations that have not been properly allocated or validated, creating potential pathways for information disclosure attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of input data structures within the document parsing functionality of Adobe Reader. When processing specially crafted PDF files or embedded content, the application fails to validate array indices or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations. This flaw can be exploited through maliciously constructed documents that trigger the vulnerable code path during normal document rendering operations. The out-of-bounds read condition allows attackers to potentially access sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including but not limited to stack contents, heap data, or other process memory segments that may contain authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically limited to opening a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Adobe Reader remains a widely deployed document viewer. The information disclosure capability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, or personal information stored in memory during document processing. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially extract credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data that may have been loaded into memory during normal application operation. The vulnerability's presence across multiple version lines indicates a fundamental flaw in the software's input validation mechanisms, affecting users who may not have updated to the latest security patches. This creates a substantial attack surface for threat actors who can develop exploits targeting organizations with outdated software versions, particularly those with legacy systems or restricted update policies.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and patch management procedures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement automated patch management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security updates across enterprise environments. Additional protective measures include implementing strict document handling policies that restrict the opening of untrusted PDF files, deploying sandboxing solutions for document processing, and monitoring for suspicious document access patterns. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help prevent the delivery of malicious documents to end users. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the information disclosure for further exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts and monitor for anomalous memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability.