CVE-2018-16029 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 use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16029 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the affected applications, specifically in how they handle memory allocation and deallocation processes. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a dangerous condition that malicious actors can exploit to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can lead to complete system compromise when successfully exploited.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability involves the software's handling of specific objects within its memory space. When legitimate operations occur, the application allocates memory for certain objects and later frees that memory when it is no longer needed. However, due to flawed programming logic, the application continues to reference this freed memory location, creating a scenario where subsequent memory operations can overwrite or corrupt the freed memory space. This condition allows attackers to manipulate the memory layout and potentially inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of use-after-free conditions, which are classified as high-risk memory safety issues that have been consistently identified as common attack vectors in software security assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it can enable attackers to achieve complete system compromise through various attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the affected application, typically running with user-level permissions but potentially elevated depending on system configuration. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of additional malware, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability's presence across multiple product versions indicates a widespread issue that affects numerous users, particularly in enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat and Reader are commonly deployed. The attack surface is significant given that these applications are frequently used to open and process PDF documents, making them prime targets for social engineering attacks through maliciously crafted documents.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16029 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Adobe, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, with particular attention to versions 2019.008.20081 and earlier, 2017.011.30106 and earlier, and 2015.006.30457 and earlier. Additionally, security controls should include application whitelisting to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files, network-based protections such as sandboxing PDF processing, and endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) indicates that exploitation often involves command execution capabilities, making defensive measures that monitor for such activities particularly valuable. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to reduce the risk of users inadvertently opening malicious documents that could trigger this vulnerability.