CVE-2018-4880 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. This vulnerability occurs as a result of computation that reads data that is past the end of the target buffer; the computation is part of the conversion module that reads U3D data. A successful attack can lead to sensitive data exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2024
CVE-2018-4880 represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader across multiple version lines including 2018.009.20050 and earlier, 2017.011.30070 and earlier, and 2015.006.30394 and earlier. This flaw resides within the Universal 3D (U3D) data conversion module where improper boundary checking allows maliciously crafted U3D files to trigger out-of-bounds memory access during data processing. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries while parsing U3D content, creating a condition where adjacent memory segments become accessible to unauthorized read operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software applications. The technical implementation involves the conversion module failing to properly validate the size and structure of U3D data before processing, enabling attackers to construct specially formatted files that cause the application to access memory locations that should remain protected. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can potentially lead to information disclosure that may include sensitive system data, user credentials, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. Attackers can leverage this weakness by embedding malicious U3D content within PDF documents, requiring only user interaction to open the compromised file. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where users frequently encounter PDF documents from untrusted sources, potentially enabling attackers to harvest sensitive data from memory segments containing authentication tokens, personal information, or system configuration details. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PDF-based attacks and represents a common vector for initial access in targeted attacks against organizations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader, implementing PDF content filtering, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious U3D data patterns. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents remains critical, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering campaigns that deliver malicious PDF files containing crafted U3D content designed to trigger the buffer overflow condition. The remediation process requires comprehensive patch management across all affected systems, with particular attention to legacy versions that may not receive continued support, while also establishing monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts through abnormal memory access patterns or unexpected application behavior during PDF processing operations.