CVE-2018-4916 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 handless TIFF 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 • 02/10/2023
This vulnerability resides in Adobe Acrobat Reader's image conversion module specifically handling TIFF data formats, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that has been documented under CWE-121. The flaw manifests when the application processes TIFF image files and performs calculations that exceed the bounds of allocated memory buffers. The affected versions span multiple release cycles including 2018.009.20050 and earlier, 2017.011.30070 and earlier, and 2015.006.30394 and earlier, indicating a persistent issue across the product lineage. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the image processing pipeline where the application fails to validate the size calculations required for buffer allocation when handling TIFF format data structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate memory layout through crafted TIFF files that trigger buffer overflows during image conversion processes. When the application attempts to read or write data beyond the intended buffer boundaries, it can result in memory corruption that may be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as attackers can craft malicious TIFF files to execute code within the context of the vulnerable application. The buffer overflow condition specifically targets the image conversion module's handling of TIFF data, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open documents containing embedded images.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data corruption and system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running Acrobat Reader, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple versions suggests that organizations using these older versions of Adobe Reader are at significant risk, particularly in enterprise environments where document sharing is common. Security researchers have noted that TIFF files are commonly used in professional and academic settings, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting these environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader where the vulnerability has been patched, as well as implementing network-based controls such as content filtering and sandboxing of document files. The patch addresses the underlying buffer overflow issue by implementing proper bounds checking and memory management within the TIFF processing module. Additionally, administrators should consider deploying security solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, such as intrusion prevention systems and endpoint protection platforms that monitor for suspicious file handling behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping software updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely used applications.