CVE-2018-4879 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2018.009.20050 and earlier versions, 2017.011.30070 and earlier versions, 2015.006.30394 and earlier versions. The vulnerability is caused by the computation that writes data past the end of the intended buffer; the computation is part of the image conversion module that processes Enhanced Metafile Format Plus (EMF+) data. An attacker can potentially leverage the vulnerability to corrupt sensitive data or execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4879 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader applications across multiple version lines including 2018.009.20050 and earlier, 2017.011.30070 and earlier, and 2015.006.30394 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the image conversion module responsible for processing Enhanced Metafile Format Plus (EMF+) data, which is a vector commonly used in document formatting and graphics rendering. The flaw manifests when the application performs computations that write data beyond the boundaries of the intended buffer, creating a condition where memory corruption can occur. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can lead to severe security implications in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it creates potential pathways for arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected application. When an attacker successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This allows for the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the user running Adobe Acrobat Reader, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially malformed EMF+ data within a document that, when processed by the vulnerable application, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for gaining unauthorized access to systems.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as particularly dangerous due to its exploitation potential within the context of document-based attacks, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for "User Execution: Malicious File." The vulnerability's presence in multiple version lines of Adobe Acrobat Reader creates widespread exposure across various organizational environments, making it a high-priority target for threat actors. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including email filtering to block suspicious documents, network segmentation to limit lateral movement, and application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized software. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat Reader installations to the latest versions that contain fixes for this buffer overflow condition, along with regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other software components. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain incident response procedures specifically tailored to address potential exploitation attempts.