CVE-2019-7059 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 • 06/18/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure and potential system compromise. The flaw occurs when the software processes malformed PDF files, specifically in the handling of certain data structures within the document parsing mechanism. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file with specially constructed data, the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with access to memory contents that may contain passwords, encryption keys, or other sensitive data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to gain footholds within systems where Adobe Reader is installed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed software across enterprise environments, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attacks. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability can be leveraged in conjunction with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack chains, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader where patches are available. The vulnerability can be mitigated through proper input validation and bounds checking within the application's PDF parsing routines, which aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing measures and restricting PDF file execution in enterprise environments. Additionally, network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious PDF files attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the software, as the out-of-bounds read condition can be triggered through simple file opening operations without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document.