CVE-2018-19728 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 • 07/02/2023
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 out-of-bounds read flaw represents a critical memory safety issue that occurs when the application processes certain malformed input data without proper validation. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program attempts to access memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the software fails to properly validate input parameters during document parsing operations, particularly when handling PDF files with malformed or maliciously crafted data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft specially designed PDF documents that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition when the affected software attempts to parse and render the malicious content. When the application encounters such malformed input, it reads memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information from the application's memory space. This information disclosure could include internal memory contents, stack data, or other sensitive information that might aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple document opening operations, making it highly accessible to attackers who can deliver malicious PDF files via email attachments, web downloads, or other common attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed memory contents could potentially reveal application state information, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the software's input validation and memory management practices, creating opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the target system or application environment. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the information disclosure could provide attackers with the necessary insights to develop more targeted exploits against the affected systems. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Adobe Reader versions, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts multiple product lines and user bases.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to mitigate this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, which contain fixes for the out-of-bounds read condition. Security teams should also implement additional protective measures such as PDF file scanning, content filtering, and user education about the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and email security gateways should be configured to detect and block suspicious PDF content. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory safety issues that can be exploited for information disclosure attacks. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential out-of-bounds read conditions in their software environments and ensure that proper input validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.