CVE-2019-7076 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 untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier versions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, representing a fundamental flaw in memory management where the application attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly validated or initialized. The flaw occurs when the software processes maliciously crafted PDF files that contain specially constructed pointer references which bypass normal validation mechanisms. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the application. The attack vector typically involves tricking users into opening malicious PDF documents through social engineering or phishing campaigns, making this a significant risk for enterprise environments where users frequently handle untrusted documents. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data theft, or persistence mechanisms being established. Organizations running affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including disabling PDF plugin support in web browsers, implementing strict document handling policies, and deploying application whitelisting solutions. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how legacy software maintenance and patch management processes can leave organizations exposed to persistent threats, particularly in environments where software updates are not consistently applied across all user endpoints. Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks due to its high exploitability and potential for remote code execution. The issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, as outlined in industry standards for secure coding practices.
The untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader stems from inadequate validation of memory pointers during PDF document parsing operations. When processing malformed PDF files, the application fails to properly validate pointer values before dereferencing them, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory addresses and redirect execution flow. This flaw specifically affects the document rendering engine's handling of certain object types within PDF files, where pointer values are not adequately checked for null or invalid states before being used to access memory locations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a carefully crafted PDF payload that manipulates the application's memory management routines, causing the software to jump to attacker-controlled code locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through automated means, allowing for mass deployment of attacks without requiring significant user interaction beyond opening the malicious document. The technical complexity of this flaw means that exploitation often requires sophisticated knowledge of the target application's memory layout and execution environment. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The presence of multiple affected version ranges indicates that this was a long-standing issue that persisted across several major releases, highlighting the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs. Organizations should consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify attempts to access known malicious PDF files, as well as regular security assessments to identify potentially vulnerable installations.
Organizations affected by CVE-2019-7076 face significant operational risks that extend beyond immediate security concerns to encompass business continuity and regulatory compliance implications. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers can establish persistent access to systems, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or system compromise across entire networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy additional malware, create backdoors, or escalate privileges to gain administrative access to affected systems. The widespread use of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across enterprise environments means that a single compromised endpoint can serve as a foothold for lateral movement throughout the network. This vulnerability particularly impacts industries that handle sensitive documents such as financial services, healthcare, legal services, and government agencies where document security is paramount. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in compliance violations under regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, and soc 2, as organizations may be required to demonstrate adequate protection of sensitive data. Incident response teams must be prepared to handle potential breaches resulting from this vulnerability, including forensic analysis of compromised systems and implementation of network segmentation measures. The remediation process requires careful planning to ensure that patch deployment does not disrupt critical business operations while maintaining adequate protection against exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions, web proxy configurations, and document inspection tools to provide additional layers of protection against malicious PDF files. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges indicates that many organizations may have legacy installations that were not properly updated, creating extended attack windows for threat actors. Security awareness training programs should emphasize the risks associated with opening untrusted PDF documents and the importance of maintaining current software versions. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive coverage of potential attack vectors.