CVE-2018-5060 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5060 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This issue stems from improper input validation within the document processing engine that handles pdf files, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted pdf documents can trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory boundaries during pdf parsing operations, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms in the software's pdf parsing libraries, allowing attackers to manipulate memory access patterns through carefully constructed pdf payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user opens a maliciously crafted pdf file, triggering an out-of-bounds read condition within the application's memory management subsystem. This condition allows attackers to potentially access sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including but not limited to authentication credentials, system information, or other confidential data that may be stored in memory. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires user interaction to be exploited successfully, making it a client-side vulnerability that leverages social engineering tactics. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The attack vector follows the pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1203, where adversaries leverage legitimate software to access system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could contain sensitive user data, system configuration details, or cryptographic keys that could be used for further attacks. Organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious pdf attachments through email or web downloads. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions across different release cycles, indicating a persistent flaw in the software's parsing logic that was not adequately addressed in the affected releases. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit and can be delivered through standard email attachments or web-based pdf documents. The potential for data leakage increases when users with elevated privileges open malicious documents, as the memory contents may include more sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5060 primarily focus on immediate software updates and security hardening measures. Adobe has released patches for affected versions that address the out-of-bounds read condition through enhanced input validation and memory access controls. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the latest security updates for Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations, particularly targeting the specific version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additional protective measures include implementing pdf file scanning and filtering mechanisms at network boundaries, disabling automatic pdf opening in web browsers, and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted pdf documents. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of pdf viewers to trusted sources only. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with the principle of least privilege and follows recommended practices for managing third-party software vulnerabilities as outlined in industry security frameworks.