CVE-2018-4970 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 falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, making it a classic buffer over-read condition. The flaw occurs when the software processes maliciously crafted pdf files that contain improperly validated array indices or buffer boundaries during document parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the pdf parsing engine of Adobe Acrobat and Reader. When a malicious document is opened, the application attempts to read data from memory locations that extend beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious pdf files, making it a prime target for initial access vectors in targeted attacks. The out-of-bounds read condition allows attackers to potentially extract memory contents including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive data that may be stored in the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental security weakness that can be leveraged in more sophisticated attack chains. According to the attack tactics, techniques, and procedures framework, this vulnerability could serve as an initial exploitation vector that enables further privilege escalation or information gathering activities. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software versions means that it could affect organizations across multiple industries, particularly those with extensive pdf document processing workflows. Security researchers have noted that such out-of-bounds read conditions often serve as stepping stones for more complex attacks, as they can reveal memory layout information that helps attackers craft more effective exploitation techniques.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader where patches are available, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and pdf document filtering should be implemented as additional defensive measures to prevent the execution of potentially malicious documents. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory systems to quickly identify and remediate affected systems. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions within their environments and prioritize patching based on risk exposure. The remediation process should include not only software updates but also user education to prevent social engineering attacks that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability through crafted pdf files.