CVE-2018-19713 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19713 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential for exploitation. The affected versions span across several major releases including 2019.008.20081 and earlier, 2017.011.30106 and earlier, and 2015.006.30457 and earlier, indicating a widespread issue affecting the software ecosystem over multiple years.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications. When the software processes certain PDF files, it may free memory resources while still maintaining references to them, creating a scenario where subsequent operations can access already freed memory locations. This memory corruption vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who craft malicious PDF documents designed to trigger the specific memory management flaw during document parsing. The exploitation mechanism typically involves manipulating the application's memory allocation patterns to achieve control over program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution on the victim's system, making it a severe security risk. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user systems as it affects widely deployed software across enterprise environments, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking broad exploitation capabilities. The use after free condition creates opportunities for attackers to perform privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or establish persistent backdoors within compromised systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary code through the compromised application. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation, and T1078, covering legitimate credentials, as attackers may use the compromised system to gain further access. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch management to address this vulnerability, as the use after free condition provides attackers with a reliable path to code execution. The remediation strategy should include comprehensive vulnerability assessment of all affected systems, implementation of network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious PDF file handling activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code and maintain regular updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.