CVE-2018-5033 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 stems from inadequate input validation within the document parsing functionality. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically representing an improper validation of array index values during the processing of pdf documents. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated bounds while parsing maliciously crafted pdf files, particularly in scenarios involving embedded objects or complex data structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially designed pdf document that triggers an out-of-bounds memory read operation when the vulnerable software attempts to parse specific elements within the document structure. This type of vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage this flaw to potentially extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal document opening operations without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
When successfully exploited, this out-of-bounds read vulnerability can result in information disclosure, where attackers may be able to extract sensitive data from the application's memory space. The disclosed information could include internal application data, memory addresses, or potentially credentials and other confidential information stored in adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing, as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users open malicious pdf attachments delivered via email or other vectors. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted memory contents could potentially reveal application logic or security mechanisms that might aid in further exploitation attempts.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader to mitigate this vulnerability, as Adobe has released patches addressing this specific issue. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing strict document validation procedures and deploying security solutions that can detect and block malicious pdf files before they reach end users. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious pdf content. Regular security awareness training for users should emphasize the importance of not opening unexpected pdf attachments and verifying document sources before processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits that target commonly used applications like Adobe Acrobat and Reader.