CVE-2018-5050 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 represents a significant security flaw in the document processing engine. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing insufficient validation of the upper bounds of a buffer, which allows an attacker to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the software processes maliciously crafted pdf files that contain malformed data structures, particularly in the handling of embedded objects or streams within the document.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the parsing of pdf content where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes before accessing memory locations. When an attacker crafts a pdf file with malformed data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries, the application attempts to read memory beyond its allocated space, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. This memory disclosure can reveal confidential data such as encryption keys, passwords, or other sensitive information that may be stored in the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. According to the mitre attack framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where the leaked information is used to facilitate further exploitation techniques. The out-of-bounds read could potentially expose memory addresses that aid in bypassing address space layout randomization or other exploit mitigation techniques. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's software, indicating a widespread issue that has persisted across several release cycles.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to mitigate this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, which contain fixes for the buffer validation issues. Additionally, implementing content filtering solutions that scan pdf files for suspicious patterns and malformed structures can provide an additional layer of protection. Security teams should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious pdf file transfers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, aligning with industry standards that emphasize the need for robust buffer overflow protections and secure coding practices.