CVE-2018-5034 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 Buffer Errors 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
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a buffer error 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 inadequate bounds checking during the processing of maliciously crafted pdf files, creating a condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations through improper buffer handling. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to parse specific elements within pdf documents without sufficient validation of input data lengths, leading to potential memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a critical security weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the privileges of the current user. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers typically leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious pdf documents that trigger the buffer overflow when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where the executed code can perform various malicious activities including privilege escalation. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently open pdf documents from untrusted sources, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to fixed versions, as the window for exploitation remains open until remediation is complete. Network segmentation and email filtering controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures while waiting for patches to be deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of memory safety issues in complex software applications and underscores the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management programs to protect against known exploits in widely used software products.