CVE-2019-7043 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 an use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7043 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability manifests in the handling of memory management within the affected applications, specifically when processing certain file formats or executing particular operations. The issue stems from improper memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to already freed memory locations, creating a dangerous condition that attackers can exploit to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability impacts versions including but not limited to 2019.010.20069, 2017.011.30113, and 2015.006.30464, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple release cycles of the software.
The technical exploitation of this use after free vulnerability follows established patterns that align with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-416. When the affected Adobe applications process maliciously crafted documents, the memory management routines fail to properly track the lifecycle of allocated memory blocks. This failure allows an attacker to manipulate the application's memory state by first freeing a memory block and then accessing it through subsequent operations, potentially enabling code execution with the privileges of the running application. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires social engineering to deliver malicious documents to unsuspecting users who then open them with the vulnerable software, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently handle various document types.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7043 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing threat actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk, particularly in environments where users regularly process documents from external sources or untrusted networks. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution without user interaction makes it especially concerning for enterprise security, as it can be leveraged in automated attack campaigns targeting organizations with outdated software installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7043 focus primarily on immediate software updates and implementation of defensive measures. Adobe released patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent software releases, making the immediate upgrade to patched versions the most effective defense mechanism. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include deploying application whitelisting solutions to restrict execution of untrusted documents, implementing sandboxing technologies to isolate document processing, and configuring network security controls to monitor for suspicious document handling activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and adhering to security frameworks such as those recommended by the Center for Internet Security, which emphasize the critical need for timely patch deployment and proactive vulnerability management. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, as the attack chain typically requires user interaction with malicious documents.