CVE-2018-4963 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 read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2018.011.20038 and earlier, 2017.011.30079 and earlier, and 2015.006.30417 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the document processing engine when handling malformed PDF files. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read operation that occurs during the parsing of specific PDF objects, particularly when processing embedded fonts or complex graphical elements. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition that allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. When exploited, this weakness enables attackers to read sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing confidential information such as encryption keys, user credentials, or system memory contents. The attack typically requires the victim to open a maliciously crafted PDF file, making this a classic client-side exploitation vector that leverages social engineering techniques. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could contain sufficient data to aid in more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or further exploitation of the target system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution through malicious document files, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation by leveraging information disclosure. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability exists in widely deployed software versions and lacks effective workarounds. The out-of-bounds read condition creates a predictable pattern of memory access that can be systematically exploited to extract meaningful information from the application's memory space, potentially compromising the confidentiality of sensitive documents and system resources. Security professionals should implement network-based detection measures to monitor for suspicious PDF file access patterns and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.