CVE-2018-19705 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 applications process certain malformed input data within PDF files. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is classified as CWE-125 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software applications. The vulnerability represents a critical security risk because it can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted PDF documents without requiring any user interaction beyond opening the file.
The technical implementation of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability allows an attacker to access memory locations that should not be accessible to the application, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory segments. When Adobe Acrobat or Reader encounters malformed PDF data structures, the parsing routines fail to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns. This memory corruption can result in the disclosure of confidential data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive information that may be stored in the application's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple file opening operations, making it highly exploitable in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks where adversaries craft malicious PDF documents designed to exploit this specific memory access flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19705 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within compromised environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially identifying running processes, memory layouts, or application-specific data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software versions means that organizations using these applications face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened. This type of vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Credential Access' domains, where adversaries may use document-based exploits to gain footholds in target networks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest available versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, which contain patches addressing this specific out-of-bounds read vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as PDF sandboxing features, restricted file type handling, and network-based protections that can detect and block suspicious PDF content before it reaches end-user systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive patch management strategies to protect against known exploits. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly, as the potential for exploitation remains high given the widespread deployment of these software versions across enterprise environments.