CVE-2019-7075 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-2019-7075 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This issue stems from improper memory management within the application's handling of objects, where memory allocated to objects is freed but references to those objects persist. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes specially crafted pdf files that trigger the execution of malicious code through improper memory deallocation. The affected versions span across different release cycles including 2019.010.20069, 2017.011.30113, and 2015.006.30464, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple software iterations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of use after free conditions, which represents one of the most dangerous memory corruption vulnerabilities due to its potential for arbitrary code execution. The flaw occurs during the processing of pdf documents, where attackers can craft malicious files that exploit the improper memory handling to gain unauthorized control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. When successfully exploited, the use after free condition allows adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to full system takeover. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs through social engineering techniques where users are tricked into opening malicious pdf documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with pdf files. This vulnerability aligns with several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category of command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to establish persistent access and execute additional malicious payloads. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability also enables attackers to bypass modern security mechanisms such as ASLR and DEP through return-oriented programming or jump-oriented programming techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7075 must include immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with organizations prioritizing the update of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to versions that address this memory management flaw. System administrators should implement strict pdf file handling policies that restrict the opening of pdf files from untrusted sources and establish sandboxing environments for pdf processing. Network-level protections such as pdf content filtering and email security solutions should be configured to scan and block suspicious pdf attachments before they reach end users. The vulnerability's classification as a high-risk use after free issue necessitates continuous monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementation of endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous memory access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management controls to limit user privileges and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security awareness training programs should educate users about the risks of opening unexpected pdf files and the importance of verifying document sources before processing. The remediation approach should align with cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.