CVE-2019-7068 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7068 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability resides within the memory management mechanisms of these widely used document processing applications, creating a significant security risk for organizations and individual users who rely on Adobe's PDF rendering capabilities. The affected versions include specific releases from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 product lines, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple software iterations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, a pattern that frequently leads to exploitable conditions in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of PDF documents, where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate freed memory locations. When Adobe Acrobat or Reader processes certain malformed PDF files, the application may free memory associated with specific objects or structures while still maintaining references to them. Attackers can exploit this condition by crafting malicious PDF content that triggers the use after free scenario, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation typically enables attackers to execute malicious code on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7068 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within targeted environments. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond opening a malicious PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Security professionals must consider the widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments, where the vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise multiple systems simultaneously, especially in environments where users frequently open PDF attachments from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7068 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. Adobe has released patches for affected versions, and organizations should prioritize updating to the latest available versions of Acrobat and Reader to eliminate the vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict PDF file handling policies, deploying sandboxing technologies for PDF processing, and configuring application whitelisting to restrict execution of untrusted PDF content. Network-level protections such as email filtering and web proxy configurations can help prevent delivery of malicious PDF files to end users. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual process execution patterns and network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a use after free condition underscores the importance of proper memory management practices in software development and the necessity for regular security assessments to identify similar flaws in other applications.