CVE-2018-5048 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 improper input validation within the document parsing functionality. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing insufficient validation of the length of input data, which allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed PDF files that contain crafted data structures, leading to memory access beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This particular vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as it enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code through crafted malicious documents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the parsing of PDF objects where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer lengths before accessing memory locations. When processing specially crafted PDF documents, the software attempts to read data beyond the intended memory boundaries, which can result in information disclosure or potentially more severe exploitation outcomes. The out-of-bounds read occurs during the parsing of PDF streams or objects, where the application does not adequately check the size of data structures before attempting to access elements within them. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening, requiring no additional user interaction beyond normal PDF processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5048 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant attack surface for threat actors seeking to compromise systems through social engineering campaigns. Organizations using affected Adobe Reader versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects multiple product lines and versions, indicating a widespread issue that requires immediate remediation across enterprise environments. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites that deliver crafted PDF files designed to trigger the memory access violation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5048 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat installations, with particular attention to systems that process untrusted PDF documents. Organizations should implement network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to malicious PDF files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices across all document processing applications. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the broader software ecosystem, as this vulnerability type represents a common class of flaws that can lead to significant security incidents when exploited in the wild.