CVE-2018-16015 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 • 08/04/2024
This vulnerability resides in Adobe Acrobat and Reader software across multiple version lines, specifically affecting releases up to and including 2019.008.20081, 2017.011.30106, 2015.006.30457, and their respective earlier versions. The out-of-bounds read flaw represents a fundamental memory access violation that occurs when the application attempts to read data from memory locations outside the bounds of allocated buffers or arrays. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the software's parsing routines, particularly when processing malformed or specially crafted PDF documents. The vulnerability manifests during the handling of PDF file structures where the software fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes before accessing memory locations, creating opportunities for unauthorized data retrieval from adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability can result in information disclosure, where attackers can potentially extract sensitive data from the application's memory space. This may include memory addresses, encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential information that happens to reside in the adjacent memory locations. The flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. Attackers typically craft malicious PDF files containing malformed data structures that trigger the vulnerable code path when the application attempts to parse and render the document. The exploitation process involves carefully constructing input data that causes the application to access memory beyond its intended boundaries, potentially revealing information about the application's internal state or underlying system memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a precursor to more severe attacks within the context of the adversary's attack chain. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could enable initial access or privilege escalation techniques, particularly when combined with other exploits or when the disclosed information reveals system configuration details. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Adobe Reader installations across different operating systems, making it a significant target for threat actors seeking to compromise end-user systems. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential risks including data breaches, intellectual property theft, or system compromise, as the information disclosure could provide attackers with insights into the application's memory layout or system state. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affects numerous users across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and version updates to address the root cause. Adobe released security updates that fixed the out-of-bounds read condition by implementing proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the PDF parsing routines. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, specifically those that have been patched against this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing sandboxing techniques, deploying web application firewalls, and using PDF analysis tools to detect and block potentially malicious documents before they reach end users. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should also include user education about avoiding suspicious PDF attachments and maintaining awareness of social engineering tactics that might accompany malicious document delivery.