CVE-2018-4918 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.009.20050 and earlier, 2017.011.30070 and earlier, 2015.006.30394 and earlier have an exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2018.009.20050 and earlier, 2017.011.30070 and earlier, and 2015.006.30394 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array. The flaw manifests during the processing of PDF documents, where the applications fail to properly validate input boundaries when handling certain file structures. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PDF files that trigger the out-of-bounds write condition, causing the application to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The technical execution of this exploit typically involves manipulating specific PDF objects or streams that are processed by the vulnerable parsing routines, allowing attackers to control the memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it provides a direct path to remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation since the code executes with the privileges of the current user, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to establish footholds within enterprise environments where these applications are commonly deployed. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, as the vulnerability affects widely used applications across multiple operating systems including windows macos and linux platforms. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no special privileges to trigger, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. Security teams should implement network-based detection measures to identify suspicious PDF file transfers and consider deploying application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted PDF files. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex document processing applications and highlights the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management programs. This particular flaw underscores the critical nature of input validation in document parsers and the potential consequences when such validation fails, as it directly impacts the security of millions of users worldwide who rely on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document handling and viewing operations.