CVE-2018-5053 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 risk for end users and organizations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, leading to potential memory corruption and unauthorized data access. The flaw manifests when the software processes malformed PDF files, particularly during the parsing of specific data structures within the document format. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file that triggers this vulnerability, the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of PDF file structures that are processed by the vulnerable Adobe software components. During normal operation, Acrobat and Reader applications parse PDF documents and extract various elements including text, images, and metadata. However, when encountering specially crafted data sequences that exceed expected buffer limits, the software fails to properly validate input boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds memory read operation. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can potentially expose confidential information such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive data that may be stored in memory adjacent to the affected buffer. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk under the ATT&CK framework, specifically within the technique of privilege escalation through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploits. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk from adversaries who could craft malicious PDF documents to target unsuspecting users. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions and release cycles, indicating a persistent flaw in the software's input validation mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this weakness in phishing campaigns or supply chain attacks, where malicious PDF files are delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised software distributions. The out-of-bounds read condition typically results in a crash of the application, but in some scenarios, it could provide attackers with enough information to perform further exploitation or data exfiltration attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including prompt application of Adobe's security patches and updates. The recommended approach involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain fixes for this specific vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as PDF file scanning, restricted browsing environments, and network-based protections to prevent exploitation attempts. Network security solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF file patterns and potentially malicious content within document structures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust patch management processes, as this flaw demonstrates how legacy software components can remain vulnerable to exploitation for extended periods. Security teams should also consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and establishing user awareness programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might deliver malicious PDF files.