CVE-2019-7078 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-2019-7078 that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the application's handling of PDF objects, specifically when processing maliciously crafted PDF files. The flaw occurs when the software frees memory associated with a PDF object but continues to reference that memory location, creating a scenario where subsequent operations can corrupt or overwrite the freed memory space. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416 as use after free conditions, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a persistent concern in software development and security practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious PDF document that triggers the specific memory management error during document parsing. When a user opens such a crafted file, the Acrobat or Reader application processes the PDF structure and encounters a condition where a memory block is freed but later accessed, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal user interaction, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. The attack surface is broad given that Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed across enterprise and individual environments, making successful exploitation potentially widespread.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Adobe's PDF viewing software, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges within the target environment. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, enabling them to conduct attacks from anywhere on the internet. Organizations using older versions of Adobe software face the highest risk, as these versions lack the memory safety improvements and security patches that would mitigate such conditions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious commands through the compromised application.
The remediation approach for CVE-2019-7078 involves immediate deployment of patches provided by Adobe, which address the underlying memory management issues in the affected software versions. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, specifically versions 2019.010.20070 and later, or 2017.011.30114 and later for the 2017 release cycle, and 2015.006.30465 and later for the 2015 release cycle. Additionally, security administrators should implement network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions to reduce the risk of exploitation even when patch deployment is delayed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing layered security controls, as the use after free condition represents a classic example of how memory safety issues can create persistent attack vectors in widely used applications.