CVE-2019-7062 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 • 06/22/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a critical use after free 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-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential for exploitation. The flaw occurs in the handling of certain PDF objects within the application's memory management system, where improper memory deallocation allows attackers to manipulate freed memory regions. When a malicious PDF file is opened, the application may execute code that leverages this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the system. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a specially designed PDF document that triggers the memory management error during parsing operations, potentially allowing remote code execution without user interaction. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources, as it can be exploited through simple web browsing or email attachments. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files are commonly shared across organizations and widely used in business processes. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability can be exploited through the manipulation of PDF object structures, specifically targeting the memory allocation and deallocation routines within the Acrobat Reader engine. The implications extend beyond simple code execution to potential privilege escalation and system compromise, making this a high severity threat that requires immediate attention from security administrators. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader should prioritize patching and implementation of network segmentation controls to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and the need for regular security updates in widely deployed software applications. This particular flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and script interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code within the victim's system context. The use after free condition creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats, making it a critical component of enterprise security risk assessments and incident response planning.