CVE-2018-16047 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
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.008.20081 and earlier, 2017.011.30106 and earlier, and 2015.006.30457 and earlier versions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically representing an improper validation of array index or buffer bounds. The flaw occurs when the software processes maliciously crafted pdf documents that contain malformed data structures, particularly within the document parsing routines where array indices are not properly validated before being used to access memory locations. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can be exploited by attackers to gain insights into the application's memory layout and potentially extract confidential data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive information stored in memory. Attackers can craft malicious pdf files that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition when opened or processed by vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges through information gathering and memory reconnaissance. The flaw represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently open pdf documents from untrusted sources, making it a prime target for social engineering campaigns and targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16047 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected versions to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict pdf document validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate pdf processing activities. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious pdf file downloads and implement content filtering solutions to prevent malicious documents from reaching end users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development practices, particularly for applications that process untrusted data formats. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling pdf-related security incidents. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the risks of opening pdf files from unknown sources and the importance of keeping software up to date with the latest security patches.