CVE-2018-19707 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 a use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2023
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 a use after free vulnerability that occurs when the application processes certain PDF files containing maliciously crafted objects. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which represents the use of freed memory condition where a program continues to reference memory that has already been deallocated, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory management during PDF document processing. When Adobe Acrobat or Reader encounters specific malformed objects within PDF files, the application allocates memory for these objects and subsequently frees it. However, the program fails to properly invalidate references to this freed memory, allowing an attacker to manipulate the memory layout and potentially redirect execution flow. This memory corruption vulnerability can be exploited through carefully crafted PDF documents that trigger the problematic code path during document rendering or parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a critical security risk that can be leveraged for remote code execution attacks. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, will trigger the use after free condition and allow arbitrary code to be executed with the privileges of the user running the application. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because PDF documents are commonly used in email attachments and web downloads, making exploitation vectors abundant and widely accessible.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability affects multiple product versions spanning several years of releases. The recommended mitigation strategy includes updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, which contain memory management fixes addressing this specific use after free condition. Additionally, implementing email filtering and web content restrictions can help prevent users from accessing potentially malicious PDF files. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious PDF processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution, making it a significant concern for enterprise security postures.