CVE-2018-16033 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 up to and including 2019.008.20081, 2017.011.30106, 2015.006.30457, and their respective earlier iterations. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the application processes certain malformed input data within PDF documents. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125 which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities where programs access memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated buffers. The vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it can be exploited by attackers who craft malicious PDF files designed to trigger the out-of-bounds memory access during document parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's failure to properly validate buffer boundaries when processing specific PDF elements or structures. When a user opens a maliciously crafted PDF file, the application attempts to read memory locations that extend beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This memory access violation can result in information disclosure, where attackers may extract confidential data such as memory contents, encryption keys, or other sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. The out-of-bounds read behavior can also potentially lead to more severe consequences including application crashes or, in some scenarios, arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory layout and exploitation conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing and viewing. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF attachments through email phishing, compromised websites, or other delivery mechanisms. The impact extends beyond individual user exposure to include potential corporate data breaches, intellectual property theft, and disruption of business operations. Security professionals must consider that this vulnerability can be exploited in targeted attacks against specific organizations, making it particularly dangerous in environments with high-value data assets. The vulnerability's presence in multiple software versions across different release cycles indicates a persistent flaw that requires comprehensive patch management strategies across all affected systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation measures including mandatory patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations, deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious PDF file traffic, and user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under techniques related to document-based exploits and privilege escalation through memory corruption. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and restricting user permissions when handling untrusted documents. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential entry points that could be exploited in conjunction with this vulnerability, ensuring comprehensive protection against advanced persistent threats that may leverage multiple attack vectors.