CVE-2019-7070 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 identified as CVE-2019-7070 that affects multiple product versions including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the software's handling of PDF objects, specifically when processing maliciously crafted PDF files. The flaw occurs when the application frees memory associated with a PDF object but continues to reference that memory location, creating a scenario where subsequent operations can overwrite the freed memory with attacker-controlled data. This use after free condition falls under CWE-416, which categorizes memory management errors that lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious PDF file that triggers the specific memory management flaw during document processing. When a victim opens such a document, the application's memory management routines execute the use after free condition, allowing an attacker to manipulate the freed memory location and potentially overwrite function pointers or other critical data structures. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, effectively providing a remote code execution capability that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7070 is severe given the widespread deployment of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across enterprise environments and individual users. The vulnerability affects critical business applications and personal computing devices, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise systems remotely. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability can be triggered through simple document opening, requiring no additional user interaction beyond normal PDF viewing. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that many users may not immediately update their software, particularly in enterprise environments where patch management processes may be delayed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7070 should include immediate deployment of patches provided by Adobe, as the vendor released security updates addressing this specific memory management flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing, implementing strict email filtering to prevent malicious PDF attachments, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity related to PDF file access. Security teams should also consider disabling PDF viewing capabilities in web browsers where possible and implementing application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the potential consequences of delayed patch deployment in enterprise security environments.