CVE-2018-5015 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier versions have a Heap Overflow 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 • 04/06/2023
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of maliciously crafted PDF files, specifically when handling certain embedded objects or streams within the document structure. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management during PDF parsing operations where the application fails to validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which represents a fundamental weakness in memory safety mechanisms that has been documented in numerous security advisories and incident reports. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the most commonly used PDF viewing applications across enterprise and consumer environments, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking persistent access to systems.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, as the arbitrary code execution occurs within the context of the current user account, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise networks where Adobe Reader is widely deployed for document sharing and business processes. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, privilege escalation attacks, and potential lateral movement within their networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish further footholds or exfiltrate sensitive data.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a malicious PDF file that triggers the specific memory corruption scenario during document rendering. Attackers typically craft these payloads to exploit the exact memory layout and timing conditions that cause the heap overflow to occur. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to the latest versions that contain memory safety fixes. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions to prevent execution of potentially malicious documents. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted PDF files and implementing least privilege access controls can significantly reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.