CVE-2018-4897 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 image conversion module that parses TIFF metadata. A successful attack can lead to sensitive data exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2023
This vulnerability exists in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions up to 2018.009.20050, 2017.011.30070, and 2015.006.30394, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category. The flaw manifests within the image conversion module specifically when parsing TIFF metadata, where the software performs computations that access memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can result in information disclosure, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking during the processing of structured image data, allowing attackers to potentially read sensitive information from adjacent memory locations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when Adobe Acrobat Reader encounters a specially crafted TIFF file containing malformed metadata. During the parsing process, the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of the metadata fields, leading to a buffer over-read condition. This type of memory corruption vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, though more specifically relates to memory corruption techniques within application processing. The buffer over-read allows an attacker to extract data that may include sensitive information such as memory contents, encryption keys, or other confidential data that happens to reside in the memory regions adjacent to the targeted buffer.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4897 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the information disclosure for further exploitation. Attackers could potentially use the leaked memory contents to identify application memory layouts, discover security mechanisms, or extract credentials and other sensitive information that might be stored in adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is widely deployed, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into system configurations and application states that would otherwise remain protected. The risk is amplified when considering that many organizations rely on Acrobat Reader for document processing, making the attack surface broader than typical software vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through Adobe's official patches and updates, which address the buffer over-read condition by implementing proper bounds checking in the TIFF metadata parsing module. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, along with regular security assessments of document processing workflows. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with industry standards that emphasize defensive programming techniques. Additionally, organizations should maintain comprehensive monitoring for suspicious document processing activities and implement sandboxing mechanisms for handling untrusted PDF and TIFF files to reduce the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.