CVE-2019-7080 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 a double free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical double free vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the handling of memory management within the software's processing of PDF documents, specifically when parsing certain malformed or crafted PDF files. The double free condition occurs when the application attempts to free the same memory block twice, which can result in heap corruption and unpredictable behavior. This flaw represents a classic memory safety issue that maps directly to CWE-415, which describes improper behavior of memory management functions leading to double free conditions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through crafted PDF files that an attacker might deliver via email attachments, malicious websites, or other social engineering vectors. When a user opens such a malicious PDF file, the application's memory management routines encounter the double free scenario, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. This represents a significant elevation of privilege attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full control over the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential information disclosure, system compromise, and persistent access to enterprise networks where these applications are commonly deployed. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face substantial risk as the exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and the need for regular security updates to prevent exploitation of such fundamental flaws in widely used software applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation routines within Adobe's PDF parsing engine. When processing malformed PDF objects, the application fails to properly track memory blocks that are being freed, leading to situations where the same memory location is returned to the heap twice. This condition creates a predictable heap corruption pattern that attackers can leverage to manipulate memory contents and redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through legitimate PDF processing operations, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or endpoint protection systems. Security researchers have identified that the flaw manifests during the processing of specific PDF elements such as object streams or compressed data structures, where the application's internal memory management logic fails to maintain proper tracking of freed memory regions. The exploitation requires careful crafting of PDF files that can trigger the specific memory management sequence leading to the double free condition, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. This vulnerability has been classified as a remote code execution flaw due to its potential for network-based exploitation without requiring physical access to the target system. Organizations should note that the affected versions span multiple years of Adobe's product releases, indicating a prolonged period where this memory safety issue remained unpatched and exploitable in enterprise environments. The double free vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-415 which covers improper handling of memory management functions, and can be further categorized under CWE-122 which deals with heap-based buffer overflow conditions that often result from improper memory deallocation patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches and updates for all affected versions of Acrobat and Reader software. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely application of security fixes across all endpoints where these applications are installed. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions to block potentially malicious PDF files from entering the enterprise network, particularly focusing on email gateways and web proxies. Endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for unusual memory management patterns or suspicious process behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Adobe software and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF attachments and the importance of verifying document sources before opening. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. System administrators should monitor for signs of exploitation through log analysis and behavioral monitoring, paying particular attention to unusual memory allocation patterns or process termination sequences that might indicate heap corruption. Regular penetration testing and red team exercises should include testing for similar memory safety vulnerabilities in other commonly used applications to identify and remediate comparable issues. The remediation process should also include verification procedures to ensure that patches have been successfully applied and that no residual vulnerable components remain in the system configuration. Organizations should maintain detailed inventory records of all Adobe product installations to facilitate rapid identification and remediation of affected systems during future security incidents.