CVE-2018-4952 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 a Use-after-free 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 • 03/13/2023
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a critical use-after-free vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This flaw resides in the handling of specific file structures within the PDF processing engine, where freed memory blocks are still being accessed or referenced by subsequent operations. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes malformed PDF documents that trigger improper memory management during object destruction and subsequent reuse. The technical nature of this issue places it firmly within the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions that occur when memory is freed but references to that memory persist. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise systems through malicious document delivery.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4952 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through a variety of attack vectors. Attackers can craft specially designed PDF files that trigger the vulnerable code path when opened by an affected application, potentially allowing for remote code execution without user interaction. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including initial access through malicious files and execution through legitimate system processes. The attack surface is particularly broad since Adobe Acrobat and Reader are widely deployed across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability a prime target for targeted attacks. The use-after-free condition creates a window where memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program structures or inject malicious code into the application's execution flow, potentially enabling privilege escalation to system-level access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch management across all affected versions, including the specific release numbers mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations must implement comprehensive software update policies that ensure all instances of Adobe Acrobat and Reader are upgraded to patched versions that address the memory management flaw. Additionally, network-level controls such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF processing activities. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation techniques involving heap spraying and return-oriented programming, which attackers can use to bypass modern exploit mitigations. Regular security assessments should include verification of patch compliance and monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for persistent access to compromised systems.