CVE-2018-5044 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 applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the document parsing functionality that processes pdf files, specifically when handling malformed or crafted pdf content. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read operation that occurs when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries while processing certain pdf elements such as embedded objects or complex graphics structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which defines out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This particular flaw represents a classic memory safety issue that can be exploited through carefully crafted pdf documents designed to trigger the specific parsing path containing the vulnerable code. The vulnerability exists in the parsing logic that handles pdf object structures, particularly when processing compressed or encoded content within pdf files, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in information disclosure, where an attacker can potentially read sensitive memory contents from the application process. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as this type of vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including potential privilege escalation or remote code execution depending on the target environment and memory layout. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal pdf document handling without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to exploit user interactions with pdf files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability affects users across multiple Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions, creating a broad attack surface that spans several years of product releases. Organizations using these applications face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently interact with pdf documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in maintaining memory safety in complex document processing applications and highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management procedures. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe patches while implementing additional controls such as pdf file filtering and sandboxing measures to reduce the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Adobe security patches addressing this specific vulnerability, along with broader security measures such as restricting pdf file downloads from untrusted sources and implementing content filtering solutions. Network security controls can help detect and block malicious pdf files through signature-based detection systems, while endpoint security solutions should provide additional layers of protection through application whitelisting and memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing comprehensive input validation procedures, particularly in applications that process complex file formats where memory safety is paramount for maintaining application integrity and user data protection. This vulnerability exemplifies the critical nature of maintaining robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle and demonstrates the potential consequences of memory safety issues in widely deployed applications.