CVE-2018-19702 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 write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
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 releases. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the software processes certain malformed input data within PDF documents. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities where an application writes data past the end of a buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability represents a critical security risk because it allows attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Adobe's PDF parsing engine encounters malformed or specially crafted PDF files that contain malicious data structures. During the parsing process, the software fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before writing data, allowing an attacker to write beyond allocated memory segments. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses, which provides attackers with the opportunity to redirect program execution flow. The out-of-bounds write vulnerability specifically impacts the software's handling of embedded objects, streams, or metadata within PDF files, where insufficient boundary checks are performed during data processing operations.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution on the target system, enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected machine. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that trigger the vulnerability when opened by an unpatched version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, potentially leading to remote code execution without user interaction. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because PDF files are commonly shared through email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing platforms, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios. Security researchers have documented similar exploitation patterns in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1204.002, which describes legitimate programs being used to execute malicious code through various attack methods including document-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual system compromise to encompass enterprise-wide security risks. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing face significant exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently open external documents or where document sharing is common. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions across different release cycles, indicating a widespread issue that requires coordinated patching efforts across various software installations. Security teams must prioritize patch management and user education to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for persistent threats including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within networks. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious PDF file handling activities and consider sandboxing PDF processing to contain potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices that include proper input validation and buffer boundary checking to prevent similar issues in future software releases.