CVE-2018-16031 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 exists in multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software, specifically affecting versions released prior to the mentioned patches. The out-of-bounds read flaw represents a critical memory safety issue that occurs when the application processes malformed input data without proper bounds checking. When an attacker crafts malicious content that triggers this vulnerability, the software attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is a fundamental weakness in input validation that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe consequences depending on the context of memory access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with access to sensitive memory contents that may include credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. Attackers can exploit this weakness by诱导 users to open maliciously crafted PDF files that contain specially constructed data structures designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely used document processing software, making it a prime target for threat actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. This type of attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers might leverage the information disclosed to further compromise systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in software applications. When applications fail to validate input boundaries, they create opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns and extract valuable information from the target system. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader should prioritize immediate patching and deployment of security updates provided by Adobe. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and endpoint protection measures can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices such as Principle of Least Privilege, where users operate with minimal necessary permissions to reduce potential impact from successful exploits. This issue serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate such memory safety issues before they can be effectively exploited by malicious actors.