CVE-2019-7046 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 untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides in the handling of malformed PDF files and represents a classic pointer validation flaw that falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions. The flaw occurs when the software processes certain crafted PDF objects without proper validation of pointer references, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns. When exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the user running the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious PDF document that triggers the unsafe pointer dereference during the parsing process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening operations, making it highly effective for social engineering attacks. The attack vector involves manipulating PDF objects such as embedded fonts, streams, or cross-reference tables in ways that cause the application to follow invalid memory pointers. This type of attack maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain code execution, and T1068 which covers the use of privilege escalation techniques through software vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold in target environments. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious payloads with the same privileges as the Acrobat Reader user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Adobe Reader installations across multiple versions, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking maximum impact with minimal effort. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Reader installations to version 2019.010.20070 or later. System administrators should implement comprehensive software update management policies to ensure all endpoints receive security patches promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing PDF file scanning and sandboxing solutions, restricting user permissions when opening PDF documents, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF files and establish clear procedures for handling suspicious document attachments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution exploits, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.