CVE-2018-4950 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.011.20038 and earlier, 2017.011.30079 and earlier, and 2015.006.30417 and earlier have an 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 • 07/21/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 2018.011.20038 and earlier, 2017.011.30079 and earlier, and 2015.006.30417 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. The flaw exists within the processing of PDF files, where the software fails to properly validate the bounds of memory allocations when handling certain malformed or crafted PDF content. When a maliciously crafted PDF document is opened, the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document. Attackers can leverage this weakness through social engineering campaigns where victims unknowingly open compromised PDF files, making the attack vector particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently handle documents from external sources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and can be exploited through various attack chains including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious file sharing platforms. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to gain persistent access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish footholds for further lateral movement within networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict PDF file validation policies and deploy sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and email filtering systems can help detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious PDF attachments and encourage safe browsing practices. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that all systems remain protected against similar out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that may exist in other software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in preventing remote code execution exploits that can compromise entire computing environments.