CVE-2018-4973 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 versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's document processing engine, specifically when handling malformed PDF files. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious PDF documents that trigger memory access violations when the affected software attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such out-of-bounds read conditions typically occur when the application fails to properly validate the length or structure of data elements within PDF objects, particularly in complex nested structures or embedded content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause the application to read memory locations that should not be accessible, potentially exposing sensitive information from the application's memory space. This includes but is not limited to memory addresses, cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data that may be stored in adjacent memory regions. The exploitation requires the target user to open a maliciously crafted PDF file, making social engineering a critical component of successful attacks. The vulnerability exists across multiple product versions, indicating a fundamental flaw in the parsing logic that was not adequately addressed in the affected release cycles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data from memory, potentially leading to credential theft, intellectual property exposure, or further exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software versions makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the information disclosure could provide attackers with additional attack vectors. The remote nature of exploitation means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites without requiring local system access.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, as Adobe released security updates addressing this vulnerability in their regular patch cycles. System administrators should implement strict document validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-based detection mechanisms should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF file patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and maintaining current software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in preventing information disclosure attacks that can compromise entire organizational security postures.