CVE-2018-5030 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 Untrusted pointer dereference 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 • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5030 represents a critical untrusted pointer dereference flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability resides within the document processing components of the affected applications, specifically within the handling of PDF file structures and embedded objects. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to dereference a pointer without proper validation of its legitimacy or bounds, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects versions including 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier, indicating a widespread issue across multiple product releases and suggesting the flaw has persisted through several software iterations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes the weakness of null pointer dereference, though the specific implementation involves untrusted pointer dereference where the application fails to validate pointer integrity before accessing memory locations. This type of vulnerability typically occurs during parsing operations when the software processes malformed or maliciously crafted PDF documents containing specially constructed pointers that appear valid but point to arbitrary memory locations. The exploitation process involves crafting a PDF file with malicious pointer references that, when processed by the vulnerable software, cause the application to jump to unintended memory locations, potentially executing attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level where the software's document parser does not properly validate the integrity of pointer values before dereferencing them, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can influence program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5030 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation allows attackers to gain arbitrary code execution within the security context of the current user. This means that malicious actors could potentially install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors on compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through opening a malicious PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where social engineering techniques can be employed to trick users into executing the malicious payload. The attack surface includes email attachments, web downloads, and shared network locations where PDF files might be encountered. Given the widespread deployment of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across enterprise environments, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on these applications for document processing and viewing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5030 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. Adobe released patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent software versions, making prompt application of security updates the most effective defense mechanism. Organizations should implement strict patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates without delay. Network security controls such as PDF file filtering at email gateways and web proxies can provide additional protection layers by blocking potentially malicious PDF files before they reach end-user systems. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which involves user execution through malicious files, emphasizing the importance of user awareness training and secure file handling practices. Additional mitigations include implementing sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing, disabling JavaScript execution in PDF documents when possible, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable software versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with industry best practices for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution.