CVE-2019-7077 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 applications contain a critical use after free vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7077 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 arises from improper memory management within the software's handling of specific objects, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed by the application. The flaw manifests when the software processes certain PDF files containing maliciously crafted elements that trigger the use after free condition during normal document rendering operations. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software systems. The exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the affected Adobe application. This represents a severe security risk as it allows for complete system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors. The vulnerability operates through the standard exploitation techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and script interpreter, where malicious code execution can occur through compromised PDF rendering processes. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable privilege escalation, data theft, and persistent system access. Attackers can craft specially designed PDF documents that, when opened by an unpatched Adobe application, trigger the memory corruption. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs through heap-based memory corruption techniques that leverage the freed memory pointer to redirect execution flow. This allows attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads directly within the application's memory space, bypassing many traditional security controls. The affected versions span several years of Adobe Reader releases, indicating a long-standing issue that has affected users across multiple product iterations. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability provides a direct path to system compromise. The remediation process requires updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain the necessary memory management fixes. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider sandboxing PDF viewing applications to limit the impact of successful attacks. This vulnerability exemplifies the critical importance of proper memory management in security-critical applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in software can lead to complete system compromise. The use after free condition creates a persistent threat vector that remains exploitable until patched, making it essential for organizations to maintain up-to-date software inventories and rapid response capabilities for such critical vulnerabilities.