CVE-2018-19722 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.011.20063 and earlier, 2017.011.30102 and earlier, and 2015.006.30452 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 • 05/03/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2018.011.20063 and earlier, 2017.011.30102 and earlier, and 2015.006.30452 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the software's handling of malformed PDF files, specifically when processing certain embedded objects or streams. The flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious PDF document that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, triggers an out-of-bounds memory read operation. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125 which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program reads memory beyond the boundaries of a valid buffer. The technical implementation involves the application's failure to properly validate input data structures, particularly when parsing PDF content that contains crafted malicious data sequences that exceed expected buffer sizes. When exploited, this vulnerability can result in information disclosure as the out-of-bounds read may expose sensitive memory contents including potentially confidential data, credentials, or system information that resides in adjacent memory locations. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that PDF files are commonly used for document sharing and can be easily distributed via email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making it a significant risk vector for targeted attacks. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats where attackers could use this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from compromised systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and privilege escalation techniques, as it provides an entry point for attackers to gain unauthorized access to system information. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires social engineering to convince users to open the malicious PDF file, but once executed, it can provide attackers with access to memory contents that may include encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive data. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is widely deployed and users frequently open PDF documents from external sources. Security practitioners should note that the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, as PDF parsing involves complex data structures that must be carefully validated to prevent memory corruption issues. The information disclosure risk increases significantly when considering that the affected applications are commonly used in business environments where sensitive corporate documents, financial records, and personal data are frequently processed, making the potential exposure of such data particularly concerning from a compliance and risk management perspective.
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions affected by CVE-2018-19722 present a serious security concern due to their widespread deployment across enterprise environments and the relatively straightforward nature of exploitation. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes malformed PDF content that triggers memory access violations, allowing attackers to potentially read data from adjacent memory locations. This type of memory safety issue represents a classic example of how improper bounds checking can lead to information disclosure attacks, particularly in applications that handle untrusted input data such as PDF documents. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that PDF files are commonly encountered in business settings, making it easier for attackers to craft targeted campaigns that exploit user trust. From a security controls perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of potentially malicious documents. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems as soon as possible, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors. The out-of-bounds read condition creates a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially including memory layout information that could be used in subsequent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also underscores the broader challenge of securing document processing applications, which must handle complex file formats while maintaining robust security boundaries to prevent memory corruption attacks that could lead to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. The risk assessment for this vulnerability should consider both the immediate information disclosure threat and the potential for escalation to more serious security incidents, particularly in environments where Adobe Reader is used to process sensitive documents from external sources.