CVE-2019-7053 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 out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read 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 resides in the handling of malformed PDF files and represents a classic buffer over-read condition where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted PDF documents that contain malformed data structures, particularly within the document parsing routines that handle various PDF objects and their associated metadata. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125 - Out-of-bounds Read according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which identifies it as a condition where a program reads data past the end of a buffer, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents to unauthorized access. The technical implementation involves the application's failure to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries during PDF parsing operations, allowing an attacker to manipulate the parsing logic through carefully constructed malicious PDF files. When exploited, this vulnerability can result in information disclosure as the out-of-bounds read may expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations including stack contents, heap data, or other application memory segments that could contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability can serve as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling attackers to gather intelligence about the target system's memory layout, application state, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged in subsequent exploitation phases. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers can use the information disclosure to better understand target environments and craft more effective attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat Reader is widely deployed for document processing, as it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns that deliver malicious PDF files via email or web-based attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that includes other PDF-related vulnerabilities in Adobe's product line, and the out-of-bounds read condition represents a fundamental flaw in the application's memory management and input validation processes. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through standard user interaction with malicious documents, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDF files from untrusted sources. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, implementation of PDF content filtering solutions, and user education to avoid opening suspicious documents. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls or content inspection systems that can detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end-user systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in PDF processing applications where complex parsing logic and extensive support for various document formats creates numerous potential attack vectors that require continuous security assessment and remediation efforts.