CVE-2018-19704 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 releases. The out-of-bounds read flaw represents a critical memory safety issue that occurs when the application processes certain malformed PDF files without proper bounds checking. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read conditions, which is a fundamental memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to unpredictable behavior and information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's failure to validate array indices or buffer boundaries when parsing PDF content. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file containing specially constructed data structures, the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This behavior can result in the exposure of sensitive information from adjacent memory regions, including but not limited to authentication tokens, user credentials, system memory contents, or other confidential data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through simple file attachment or web-based PDF viewing scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation. In enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used for document review, this vulnerability could enable attackers to extract confidential business information, intellectual property, or personal data from memory segments. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with basic PDF manipulation capabilities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to the latest available versions. Organizations should implement strict PDF file validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent malicious PDF files from reaching end users. Additionally, regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF attachments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for legitimate user execution and T1059.007 for scripting languages, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges through information gathering activities. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for anomalous memory access patterns indicative of out-of-bounds read exploitation attempts.