CVE-2018-19716 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 heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
This heap overflow vulnerability exists in multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications, specifically affecting versions up to and including 2019.008.20081, 2017.011.30106, 2015.006.30457, and their respective earlier releases. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the processing of certain file formats, creating a condition where an attacker can write beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory regions. This flaw manifests when the application handles malformed or specially crafted input files that trigger buffer overflow conditions within the memory allocation structures. The technical implementation involves insufficient bounds checking mechanisms that fail to validate the size of data being written to heap buffers, allowing malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability falls under the category of stack-based buffer overflow, though in this case it specifically affects heap memory management. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. When successfully exploited, the heap overflow allows malicious code to be injected into the application's memory space, potentially enabling full system compromise. The attack vector typically involves enticing a user to open a specially crafted malicious document, which triggers the vulnerable code path during document parsing. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to run malicious commands. The memory corruption resulting from heap overflow can lead to unpredictable application behavior, including crashes, data corruption, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is frequently used to open documents from untrusted sources, making it an attractive target for targeted attacks. Organizations utilizing these older versions face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction in some scenarios, making it particularly insidious. The exploitation process typically requires precise control over memory layout and can be enhanced through techniques such as return-oriented programming or just-in-time compilation to bypass modern security mitigations. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability affects multiple product versions across different release cycles, indicating a persistent flaw in the memory management implementation. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, where attackers can leverage the application's elevated privileges to gain deeper system access. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping software updated and maintaining robust patch management processes, as the exploitation window remains open for extended periods. The technical nature of heap overflow vulnerabilities makes them particularly challenging to defend against through traditional perimeter security measures, requiring application-level security controls and runtime protections. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, sandboxing, and network-based protections to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive software security testing, particularly focusing on memory safety and input validation mechanisms. Adobe's security advisory recommends immediate upgrade to patched versions, as the company has addressed this vulnerability through memory management improvements and enhanced bounds checking in subsequent releases. The remediation process involves not only updating the application but also ensuring that all affected systems in the enterprise environment are properly patched and that legacy systems are decommissioned or isolated from critical network resources.