CVE-2018-5016 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 an Out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions prior to 2018.011.20040, 2017.011.30080, and 2015.006.30418 contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects the document processing functionality within the software. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking when parsing specific file formats, particularly those involving complex data structures such as embedded objects or multimedia content. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as improper validation of array index, and represents a fundamental issue in memory safety that has been prevalent in software applications for decades. The vulnerability falls into the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing with Malicious Attachment, as attackers could craft malicious PDF files to exploit this weakness and gain unauthorized access to information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a malicious PDF file containing specially crafted data structures that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition when the vulnerable application attempts to process the document. When the application parses the malformed file, it accesses memory locations that do not belong to the intended data structure, potentially revealing sensitive information such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory locations. This type of information disclosure vulnerability can have severe implications for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document handling, as it may expose proprietary information or personal data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple document opening operations, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5016 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within targeted environments. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face potential data breaches, intellectual property theft, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges, making it accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly in environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged or processed. The issue demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive patch management strategies to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations, deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for malicious PDF file transfers, and implementation of email filtering rules to prevent potentially malicious attachments from reaching end users. Additional protective measures include restricting Adobe Reader's functionality through sandboxing mechanisms and implementing strict document handling policies that limit the processing of untrusted PDF files. Security teams should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining instances of older software versions within their environment and establish automated monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in other Adobe products or third-party applications. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of continuous security monitoring and the importance of staying informed about emerging threats in the cybersecurity landscape.