CVE-2019-7020 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier version, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier have a buffer errors vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that affects multiple product versions including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the application's handling of malformed input data within PDF documents, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate memory allocation during document processing. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow when the software attempts to copy data into a fixed-size buffer without proper validation of input length, allowing malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources.
The exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability enables attackers to achieve remote code execution through maliciously crafted PDF files that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Acrobat or Reader, trigger the memory corruption. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening compromised documents, often delivered via email attachments or malicious websites. Once executed, the malicious code can leverage the application's elevated privileges to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system files, or establishing persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures, particularly in environments where Adobe Reader is used for document sharing and collaboration. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreter through PDF files.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain patches for this vulnerability, as well as deploying network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block potentially malicious PDF files. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing and reduce the attack surface. User education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying document sources and avoiding opening attachments from unknown senders. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implement privileged access management controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping software updated and maintaining comprehensive patch management programs to protect against known security flaws that attackers can readily exploit.